EU Funding and Sail Training - "Is this a realistic funding source?"

An interesting insight into de-mystifying the process of EU grant applications was provided by Paul Quantock, Senior Partner, European Consultancy Services. Although the process is complex, Quantock succeeded in giving some helpful guidelines about the 400 EU grants available.
Because of the complex application process, it’s not surprising to hear that many of the grants available are undersubscribed, but according to Quantock if you can fight your way through the paperwork it’s still worthwhile.

Quantock says that the most important thing to consider when applying for a EU grant is to design your project first, then apply for the funding and not the other way round. Another key point to remember when applying, is not to use the words, ‘sailing’ or ‘sail training’ as the prime subject for the application. You need to work out a theme that you can connect with, such as school bullying. If you can present a plan combining how sail training could, for example, help youngsters cope with the effects of bullying, there is much more of a chance that a grant application will be approved.

Monique Touw talked about the At Sea Sailing Training and Youth in Action funding programme. Of the 700 trainees recruited and placed on ships, 76 benefitted from the Youth in Action scheme. Eighteen-year-old Meri Saarivirta from Finland joined as a trainee in 2006 and spoke warmly about some of the benefits.

Speakers

Paul Quantock – Senior Partner, European Consultancy Services, UK

Monique Touw – Director, At Sea Sail Training, Netherlands

Meri Saarivirta – 18 year-old trainee