The following Expression of Interest is circulated by the VGF Trustees who wish to support a number of projects which use sport and music as the means of making a meaningful contribution to local communities globally. This document sets out some of the details of this proposed programme of engagement and seeks to encourage potential partners to consider if there might be programmes where Vodafone’s collaboration could make a real and lasting difference.
Background
The contribution of sport and music as a delivery mechanism in community and social development around the globe is widely recognised. They provide unique opportunities to generate healthy and positive living amongst young people and their communities. This has been recognised in recent research and publications both in the UK and the wider international community.
Sport and music are also passions which are enjoyed by Vodafone employees. With a predominantly young workforce the contribution which sport and music make to peoples lives is part of Vodafone’s common understanding. Working with its Group Foundation, Vodafone is keen to invest in sport and music projects which benefit some of the most disadvantaged young people in the communities in which we operate. The areas where Sport and Music can make a contribution and in which the Trustees are interested include;
- Health: increasing awareness of HIV / Aids, tackling heart disease and obesity and promoting well being
- Education: improving behaviour, literacy and numeracy skills, cultivating citizenship
- Welfare: alleviating poverty and the development of sustainable economic activity
During the course of the next three years the VGF will be seeking to make a financial contribution in the region of £12million. The VGF has funded a number of projects within this area through its local foundations and is keen to scale up this engagement and work collaboratively with others who have used sport and music to deliver some of the benefits outlined above.
General Partner Requirements
The VGF Trustees are seeking partners with the following attributes and experience for the proposed programme of activity.
- A proven track record in bringing about positive change with disadvantaged young people using either sport and/or music.
- Experience and knowledge of managing and delivering projects which cross borders, cultures and nationalities.
- A developed understanding of how either sport and/or music can make a lasting difference to the development of young people.
- New and vibrant projects which are trans-national in scope rather than delivering through one specific country.
- Projects where the engagement of Vodafone will provide leverage and the unlocking of further financial investment.
- Projects that enable active engagement of Vodafone employees and a proven track record of innovative communication of programmes and outcomes.
- Experience in the development of measurement criteria for the tracking and reporting of performance and a clear understanding of the use of performance monitoring to shape future project direction.
- A sound and thoroughly researched financial basis for the proposed programme of activity.
The VGF Trustees are seeking partners where the funds invested will unlock other potential sources of income, will make a lasting contribution, sustainable after the proposed grant agreement ends and will deliver tangible benefits to the lives of many young people. The Trustees are excited about the potential and are looking for partners who are committed to making a difference.
Update
The VGF Trustees have received a large number of expressions of interest and are not seeking further expressions in 2007.