Step 1: You have a great idea for an exchange – decide whether this will be virtual or in person

Virtual
The programme funds up to £200 to cover the time it takes to plan and deliver your online exchange. When completing the application form, virtual costs should be added as the host fee.

In person
The programme funds individual and group visits up to £1000 per exchange, inclusive of a fee for the host organisation you’d like to visit. Each in person CLE involves travelling to the location you’d like to learn from.

Step 2: Gather all your exchange information

• Set a date
• Confirm your host organisation
• Identify who’ll be visiting with you
• Consider what benefits this visit will bring to you and your community
• Identify three Learning Outcomes that you expect to gain from the visit

(all of these will be asked for in the application!)

Step 3: Break down your costs

• The CLE fund offers up to £1000 per exchange visit.
• Provide a breakdown of your travel costs – for trains, bus or ferry.
• If you have to use a car or hire a minibus, you should calculate mileage at 45p per mile.
• We offer up to £100 per person, per night to cover accommodation for one night if you have far to travel.  Additional accommodation will be considered only in exceptional circumstances, on a case by case basis.
• You can also apply for up to £25 per person, per day for subsistence – the fund does not cover alcohol.
• Remember to add in a host fee of up to £300 per exchange to allow preparation for your visit.

Step 4: Identify which SCA network contact will endorse your application

• A list of the national SCA member networks can be found on our Member page
• You will also find a drop down list of networks in the online application form.
• We cannot release your funding without an SCA member network endorsement.

Step 5: Know the terms and conditions of the fund

• Allow at least three weeks from submission of your application to your exchange date for processing.
• CLE grants are allocated to the detail provided in the approved application.  If plans change, please ensure these are discussed with us for further agreement before proceeding.
• Funds can only be released on the receipt Acceptance of Grant forms, signed by you and your endorsing network.
• Only progress with your exchange if you have received approval and confirmation of funds.
• If your exchange is unable to take place for any reason, contact us to discuss returning or using your grant for a rescheduled date.
• A rescheduled CLE should take place within 3 months of receiving your grant unless otherwise agreed with us. Your grant should be returned if your exchange cannot take place within this time.
• Receipts, expenses and feedback are required within two weeks of the exchange (photos/videos with permissions are welcome too!).
• All underspends must be returned to the Community Learning Exchange.
• Include VAT, where applicable, in your overall costs – including the host fee.  Please refer to FAQs for further detail.
• Failure to submit feedback/expenses or to adhere to the above may affect your ability to apply in future.

Step 6: Apply!

• Please allow at least three weeks notice from the application date to the exchange date for processing.
• Once you have submitted your application form, you and the contact you have chosen to endorse your application will receive a copy.
• Successful applicants and endorsers will be sent an Acceptance of Grant Form to be signed and submitted so that we can release the funds to you.