Greater Manchester Environment Fund (GMEF) have been managing the Green Spaces Fund since its launch in June 2022. Round 1 applications proved that the Green Spaces Fund is in 
demand, and GMEF selected 21 excellent projects out of 71 applications received. GMEF’s work promoting Round 2 is already indicating that they are likely to receive 200 applications and they have doubled the funding available. However, GMEF are very aware that as there will be more applications than funding available, they will need to make some tough decisions and ensure that those selected have been chosen fairly.
GMEF are looking to recruit volunteers to participate in an assessment and scoring process of applications to the Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund. GMEF are now seeking potential panellists from the community to work and learn alongside professional panellists in the assessment and scoring of applications from grassroots and charitable organisations from all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester.
GMEF are seeking people from groups or organisations with experience of delivering environmental projects and supporting community activity and have a basic awareness of the Green Spaces Fund objectives. In order to assess all of the applications GMEF are seeking a further 10 panellists who will be paired with existing panellists.
GMEF have set up this simple application process to find out if you might be interested in this opportunity. If there are more people interested than needed, GMEF will select those that have the most experience of environmental and community projects. Those selected will be asked to sign a Conflict-of-Interest Declaration to ensure applications are scored fairly.
GMEF will meet with all current and successful volunteer panellists on Teams/Zoom w/c 9 January 2023 – between Monday and Friday at a time to suit the majority to welcome you to GMEF and discuss the process. GMEF will provide training and support to help you with the process. The next round of applications is due 27 January 2023 and GMEF are therefore looking for volunteer panellists to participate in the exercise between 13 February 2023 to 3 March 2023 (3 weeks). This can be undertaken in your own time and from experience, it has taken 15 minutes to assess each application.
If you are interested in this opportunity, complete the application form and email it to: [email protected] by 15 December 2022.