Project and Bid Development Services
Organisations, from across all sectors, will from time to time require support to help them develop new projects or services. Whilst these may range in size, duration and scope they will help to deliver something different or bring change to the status quo. Southern Horizons (UK) Ltd is adept at working with clients to help them understand their current position and articulate their future ambitions with an appreciation of the challenges and opportunities available to them. We use our research skills to support the developmental process in a number of ways, including:
- Conducting market research – gathering, analysing and interpreting data and information about a market, product or service
- Undertaking scoping studies – assessing aims and objectives, risks and organisational strategies
- Supporting business cases and propositions – providing the justification for starting a project and typically describing the benefits, costs and impact
- Preparing full funding bids – demonstrating that the project meets the funding requirements, is deliverable and financially viable.
Working both independently and in conjunction with Buckman Associates we have completed expressions of interest and full applications for a number of ERDF and ESF projects on behalf of Devon, Plymouth and Somerset Councils as well as for the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.
Featured Case Studies:
Business Case Development
Project: Plymouth and South Devon Freeport
Client: Plymouth City Council
We project managed and led the drafting of the original Plymouth and South Devon (PASD) Freeport bid as well as the outline and full business cases, working with Buckman Associates who led on the economic modelling. Rebekah is continuing to work with the Freeport team, providing mobilisation support during the initial set-up phases.
Market Intelligence
Project: Scoping study
Client: Birmingham City University
We undertook a high-level market intelligence/scoping study on behalf of Birmingham City University. This involved a review of the context and external policy drivers as well as focusing on the university itself to understand its comparative strengths by drawing on key data-sets as well as internal documentation. The results have been used to help articulate the University’s offer and to support the development of its future research and enterprise activities.
Economic Growth Programme
Project: National Parks
Client: Client: Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks
In collaboration with Buckman Associates Ltd, we supported Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks to develop a coherent programme of activities that capitalised on the unique opportunities for growth present within the national parks, whilst maintaining their special character and status. The work involved a comprehensive review of data and evidence and a facilitated workshop with stakeholders and businesses which led to the development of a proposition paper.
Bid Writing Support
Project: ESIF Applications
Client: Devon County Council
We have supported Devon County Council to prepare European Social Investment Fund applications to secure ERDF funding. This included both the Expression of Interest and full application for a Social Enterprise Support Programme which has now been awarded and we have also worked with Buckman Associates Ltd to prepare a full application for a Healthy Ageing Project which has now been awarded. Both projects involved working closely with a small group of partners to define the scope and identify partner roles/responsibilities as well as completing the application forms and technical annexes in accordance with ERDF requirements, ensuring that they met the specifications of the call and were deliverable.