Residential Rehabilitation Rapid Capacity Programme 2: guidance

Application process

The Recovery Fund is being delivered on a multi-year basis, with project proposals for the RRRCP 2 invited over 2022/23 and the next three years. Organisations are encouraged to profile the funding request over this time frame so that, if necessary, changes to funding streams can be made.

Note that there is no specific limit set for the number of applications that may be submitted by each organisation each cycle, but please bear in mind the reach of the programme. If necessary, organisations will be asked to prioritise proposals each year.

Organisations will be expected to set out other sources of funding, including funding through other parts of the Scottish Government in their application form.

The application process is supported by an investment panel which will agree recommendations to Scottish Ministers on which project proposals should progress. This will ensure a fair and transparent process.

Applicants are expected to bring forward project proposals that have been developed with the involvement and support of local ADPs and relevant community, third sector and private sector partners as appropriate.

There will be three stages to each funding cycle as outlined below.

Stage one - complete assessment form and due diligence checks

Officials will consider proposals according to alignment with the overall objective of the RRRCP and alignment with the strategic context outlined above. Organisations will then be invited to complete an assessment form and provide information to use in our due diligence checks. Guidance on completing the assessment form can be found at Annex A and the template is available from AlcoholAndDrugsImprovement@gov.scot.

Where there is information missing from the proposal needed for assessment officials will work with key points of contact in the organisation to ensure that available information is captured. Applications will be given a score for each of the criteria outlined at Annex A which also sets out the scoring system.

In order to make a full assessment of applications, we must carry out a due diligence check to assess the good standing (financial and otherwise) of the applicant. This supporting evidence should be submitted at the same time as the application form as an attachment. Drugs policy officials will be in touch to confirm completion of this check.

Stage two - investment panel recommendations

The completed assessment form, including indicative scorings, will be submitted for consideration at an investment panel. This panel will be made up of key stakeholders and will include external representatives from the Residential Rehabilitation Development Working Group (RRDWG) and ADPs. Please see Annex B for more detail on membership of the investment panel. The panel will review proposal documents and assessment forms before confirming the final scorecard and submitting a recommendation to the minister.

Stage three - funding announcement

Once the Minister has considered the recommendation and made a decision to fund the project, a grant letter will be issued setting out contractual terms of the funding. Before any payment is made, the grant outcomes are agreed and there will be a conversation about mutual expectations (in line with the Principles for Positive partnerships guidance).

Readiness to deliver in 2022-23

1. Clear readiness to deliver in 2022-23 will be a crucial point for consideration in the application process.
2. Projects offered grant support in 2022-23 designated for that year will have a relatively short time to spend or at least fully commit the grant on offer (by end of March 2023) and there will be no facility to carry over to the next financial year.
3. Where project proposals are presented over multiple years, the investment panel will still primarily be looking at readiness to deliver in 2022-23. They will also consider the longer term deliverability of proposals if covering more than one year.