Background to the Research

• The research is based on a number of interviews with organisations in receipt of gap/interim funding.
• The interviews sought to elicit information on the impact of gap/interim funding in relation to staff losses and staff retention issues, financial management, eligibility criteria, the role of network organisations and the identification of mechanisms to address information gaps.
• The cumulative effects of delays in initiating the Peace II programme and the short term nature of the gap/interim funds have had many detrimental effects on voluntary and community sector organisations.
• Problems faced within the sector due to gap/interim funding over the last two years include not only economic problems but also deep rooted development and sustainability problems within organisations.
  

Research Approach

• The research is split into three sections within the report:
  • Quantitative information gathered through the Department of Finance and Personnel.
  • Telephone and face-to-face interviews with networks about their role in supporting organisations during gap/interim funding.
  • Semi-structured interviews gathering information on how eligibility criteria affected groups' ability to apply for funding and any problems with retaining staff, general experiences and problems encountered.
• Interviewees included fifteen organisations representing a cross section of the sector.

Main Findings

• A high level of consensus was reached among the interviewees on a number of issues.
• Detrimental effects due to continued delays are split into six sections. These include demotivation of staff, high turnover of staff, loss of expertise, experience and knowledge, loss of impetus of the project, deviation from the purpose of the project and organisations feeling insecure, undermined and undervalued.