Scottish Land Fund: evaluation

Appendix A

Questionnaire

Introduction

It is vital that the Scottish Government understand applicants' views on the processes of the fund, establishing how helpful the process is and considers how the process could be improved upon for the future.

Scottish Government have commissioned independent researchers, Diffley Partnership, to undertake a survey of applicants to understand your views and experiences. We would be really grateful if you could take around 10 minutes to answer this short questionnaire.

In line with good research practice, we can assure you that the answers you give to the survey are confidential and will not be seen outside the research team.

Contextual questions

Ask All
Q. Which of the following statements best describes your situation?
Single Code Only

• My application was successful at both stage 1 and stage 2,
• My application as successful at stage 1, but was unsuccessful at stage 2,
• My application was successful at stage 1, but I did not apply for stage 2 funding,
• I was unsuccessful at stage 1,
• I withdrew my application

The overall process

Ask All
Q. Thinking about your experience of the Scottish Land Fund overall, how good or poor would you rate it in the following aspects?
Randomise Order

• The process overall
• The transparency of decisions made
• The advice offered to submit your application
• The feedback received on your application

Scale: 1 (very poor) – 5 (very good), DK, NA

Ask All
Q. Thinking about the communication with your Scottish Land Fund advisor, how well did they perform in each of the following aspects.
Randomise Order

• The performance of the advisor overall,
• The advisor's ability to answer questions,
• The advisor's communication with you throughout the application process,

Scale: 1 (very poor) – 5 (very good), DK, NA

Ask All
Q. In the space below, please say how, if at all, you think the Land Fund application process overall could be improved?

Write In Below

Stage 1

Ask All
Q. Thinking about the application process for stage one, how good or poor would you rate it in the following aspects?
Randomise Order

• The time taken to receive a decision,
• The advice received to make your application,
• The feedback given on your application,
• The help received from your Land Fund Advisor,

Scale: 1 (very poor) – 5 (very good), DK, NA

Ask To Those Awarded Funding/Invited To Continue
Q. Thinking about the decisions made at stage one of the funding process, to what extent to you agree or disagree with the following statements?

• I received information about my application in a timely manner,
• I was able to discuss the decision,
• I was informed of how to progress with a stage two application,
• I was informed of requirements for a stage two application

Scale: Strongly agree, tend to agree, neither/nor, tend to disagree, strongly disagree, DK

Ask To Those Who Were Unsuccessful
Q. Thinking about the decision made about your stage one application, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements:

• I understand why the decision was made,
• I felt I would be able to apply again in the future,
• I received feedback on my application which was easy to understand,
• I was encouraged to resubmit my application,
  SCALE: Strongly agree, tend to agree, neither/nor, tend to disagree, strongly disagree, DK

Ask All
Q. In the space below, please say how, if at all, you think stage 1 of the application process overall could be improved?

Write In Below

Ask Those Who Did Not Apply For Stage Two But Were Successful At Stage One
Q. When thinking about your project, why did not apply for any further funding?

Select All That Apply

• The project was not viable,
• There was not enough support within the community,
• The location was bought by someone else,
• I did not have the support I needed to proceed with the application,
• Something else (WRITE IN)

Stage 2

Ask Those Who Applied For Stage Two Funding
Q. Thinking about the application process for stage two, how good or poor would you rate it in the following aspects?
Randomise Order

• Overall process,
• Time it took to receive a decision about your application,
• The help received from your Land Fund Advisor,

Scale: 1 (very poor) – 5 (very good), DK, NA

Ask Those Who Were Successful
Q. Thinking about the decision made about your stage two application, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

• I understood the decisions made,
• I understand the outcome, and the reasoning
• I was given feedback,
• The decision was fair,
• The decision was transparent,
• I was able to ask questions regarding the decision

Scale: Strongly agree, agree, neither/nor, disagree, strongly disagree, don't know, N/A

Ask To Those Who Were Unsuccessful
Q. Thinking about the decision made about your stage two application, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements:

• I understand why the decision was made,
• I felt I would be able to apply again in the future,
• I received feedback on my application which was easy to understand,
• I was encouraged to resubmit my application,
  SCALE: Strongly agree, tend to agree, neither/nor, tend to disagree, strongly disagree, DK

Ask Those Who Were Awarded Stage Two Funding
Q. Were you able to acquire the land or building you received the funding for?

Scale: Yes/No

Ask Those Who Were Awarded Stage Two Funding
Q*. Is your project operational?

• Yes – my project is fully operational,
• Yes – at least one phase of my project is operational,
• No – my project is under development,
• No – my project is no longer operational

Ask Those Who Answer No To Q*.
Q. Why is this the case?

Write In Below

Ask Those Who Were Awarded Stage Two Funding
Q. Did you receive any further funding to help towards your project?

Scale: Yes/No

Ask Those Who Said Yes
Q. What was the source of any additional funding required for your project?

Write In Below/Options

Ask Those Who Said Yes
Q. Did success at stage two influence ability to acquire any additional funding for your project?

Scale: Yes/No/DK/NA

Ask To Those Who Said Yes
Q. Why was extra funding required?

Select All That Apply

• - Underestimated how much would be required for completion of the project,
• - Did not receive what was applied for from the land fund,
• - The acquisition cost more than expected,
• - Operational costs were more than expected,

Ask All
Q. Thinking about the help and assistance you received from your Land Fund Advisor, could they have done anything differently to help?

Write In Below.