Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How has this fund come about?

A. The Essex Strategic Board for the 2012 Games is the county working group set up to co-ordinate and promotes a legacy from the 2012 Games in Essex. The Board, representing Essex, Thurrock and Southend has five Delivery groups themed around sport, culture and tourism, economic impact, learning and development and volunteering. Delivery Groups have been tasked with scoping and delivering effective programmes to deliver activity and under the Sport Delivery Group this is one of the projects, which builds on from the London 2012 Open Weekend fund previously available.

Q. Who are the panel and what will they do?

A. Originally as part of the Sport Delivery Group a Task and Finish group was established to deliver sporting and physical activity projects especially in the rural area’s. They included Rural Community Council of Essex (RCCE), Essex Playing Fields Association, Local Authority Sports Development Officers, ECC 2012 Legacy and a Primary Care Trust. The next panel will include some of the above as well ECC Big Society officers and will be the panel who decide on which projects should receive funding.

Q. When are panel meetings?

A. There will be a series of rolling panel meetings that will take place every month from December to April to assess the applications and make a decision. These dates are: 12th December 2011, 16th January 2012, 13th February 2012, 12th March 2012 and 16th April 2012. Notification will follow the week after. There is a finite amount of funding and once this is distributed the fund will end so it is recommended to apply as soon as possible.

Q. What is the Essex Legacy 2012 Celebrations?

A. The Essex Legacy 2012 Celebrations are part of a whole programme of activities and events that will take place in Essex in 2012 which includes Sparks Will Fly, SX Urban Games, Walking your way to the Games, to name a few which will showcase a wealth of activity in Essex

Q. Who can apply?

A. Applications are invited from bodies which are properly constituted, Essex-based and community focussed. Although not an exhaustive list, this may include:
Town and parish councils, Village Hall committees, Neighbourhood committees, Residents’ Associations, Community Groups and Voluntary Organisations, Universities, colleges, schools or PTAs;

Q. What is definition of Celebrate your Fete?

A. This could be an existing event such as a fete or sports festival and with the addition of a little funding could offer so much more to all the community or it may be a new event that your community has always wanted to organise. You could; enhance existing provision or create a new fete / festival with contemporary elements or it could be a mixture of a traditional fete (stalls, tombola, coconut shy, bands, etc), urban games (BMX, skating, street dance and street art), sporting activities or cultural activities.

Q. How much funding can I apply for? Do I have to have match funding as well?

A. Organisations can apply for up to £400, although the panel may award only part funding depending on costs and activity. You must have match funding (even in kind funding which could be volunteers time) as this will help your application. Your organisation must be constituted and have a bank account to adhere to the financial regulations of the funder.

Q. Do events have to be free?

A. No, events can be free or fee paying, but should not be for profit.

Q. Where will my event be promoted? How could it be connected to London 2012 promotions?

A. As part of the Essex Legacy 2012 Celebrations, ECC will be promoting the many activities throughout Essex through the Essex Legacy website and a promotional campaign.

London 2012 has also launched Local Leaders with an invitation to people across the UK to take the Games into their community and create their own celebrations next year. Whether you have applied to be a volunteer, nominated someone to be a Torchbearer have applied for tickets or are simply looking for a way to mark the occasion with family and friends, sign up to the Local Leaders registration service from today at and be in the front row to receive information on a range of themed celebrations and event materials that have plenty of scope for making them your own. Whether it’s inviting friends round for an Olympic-themed quiz or getting everyone on the streets to welcome the Olympic Flame to your community; whether it's for 3 people or 300, being a Local Leader is all about organising celebrations for the London 2012 Games. Next year LOCOG will promote a series of ideas of what to do and when around the Olympic Torch Relay and the 2012 Games themselves. Those who want to will be able to register their event on a main London 2012 database, so people in their area can find out about it and come along.

Q. Can commercial organisations or businesses apply?

A. No, this fund is aimed at not for profit organisations to encourage community engagement.

Q. What evaluation will be required?

A. All we would like is a brief report on how the event went, how many people took part, how many volunteers were involved and access to any photographs taken.