In the world of community support, grant panels play a vital role in deciding where resources go. However, it's rare to find individuals with first hand experience in delivering community peer support on these panels. Meet Chris Pavlakis, one of our grant judges and a seasoned community peer supporter who has navigated grants as an applicant himself. In this interview, he offers invaluable insights from his tenure on our grants panel.
Building on the success of our annual event, the PeerFest Grants aim to empower grassroots organisations, community groups, and peer-led support groups to continue their invaluable work in their communities. Hosted by the Communities Team at Mind and designed in collaboration with our independent PeerFest team and the PeerFest Network, we offered 15 groups grants of £500 each, empowering them to enhance their mission through funding for equipment, resources, venue hire, food, beverages, or any other reasonable costs.
As someone familiar with the process of both applying for grants and sitting on the judging side, Chris was eager to share his reflections, bringing with him a dual perspective on the grant evaluation process.
Q: Please tell us about your roles and responsibilities as a judge. What were the challenges of the role?
A: It sounds like an empty platitude when people say how tough it is to make these decisions, but it’s the TRUTH. It's tough being on the Grants Panel. I've experienced first hand the agonising task of selecting candidates while also grappling with the privilege of having had opportunities myself. The reality is, it's a complex balancing act. Lots of bright minds with brilliant ideas + relatively few funding opportunities lots of thwarted dreams.
Moreover, it's essential to acknowledge that the people on the judging panel aren't infallible experts. We're just imperfect humans with our own biases and preferences. While diversity on the panel helps mitigate bias to some extent, personal taste and lived experiences inevitably influence decisions. What might not resonate with one panel might be a perfect fit for another.
Q: What inspired you to volunteer your time as one of our judges?
A: My decision to volunteer my time on the Grants Panel stems from a deep belief in PeerFest’s mission and vision. I see it as an opportunity to uphold the values that underpin their activities and ensure that financial resources are allocated thoughtfully to community groups. Having individuals with lived experience on the panel is crucial—they bring insights and knowledge that can only come from first hand experience in the community.
Q: Advice for Applicants: Do you have any guidance and tips for groups applying for grants? Do you have anything specific you look out for in successful grant applications?
A: To all the groups and organisations applying for grants, my advice is simple: don't let rejections get you down. Stay humble in defeat and resilient in pursuit of your goals. Keep submitting, keep believing in your work, and remember that setbacks are just stepping stones to success. And if you ever feel disheartened, take a break and come back with renewed determination.
Remember, the landscape is changing, and gatekeepers matter less and less. With the power of technology, you can share your work with the world at the touch of a button. And if you can't find a community that aligns with your vision, create one.
With warm regards from both sides of the judging table.
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