2.1     Organisations wishing to display a project to the WMNIH are required to meet the Project Delivery Partner Criteria and Project Eligibility Screening, to reassure Project Funders that their funds will be used appropriately and responsibly.

2.2     Organisations wishing to showcase projects on the WMNIH should complete a Project Delivery Partner Application Form (Form 2).  WMNIH moderators will assess the organisation against the criteria in Form 2 (see section 3 below).  WMNIH Moderators may set up a meeting to discuss any outstanding details.

2.3     Once an organisation is registered as a Project Delivery Partner, they can submit projects to the Hub through the Project Submission Form (Form 3). This form will identify which information fields will be made publicly visible on the Hub, and which will be held privately in accordance with our Privacy Policy. WMNIH will assess the project against the criteria in Form 3. WMNIH Moderators may set up a meeting to review project details.

3.1     To become a Project Delivery Partner, organisations should be one of the following: 

• charitable incorporated organisation, registered with the Charity Commission;
• not-for-profit organisation;
• community interest company;
• AONB or National Park authority;
• local authority;
• university or research institution; or
• a non-departmental public body.

3.2     Project Delivery Partners are required to:

• provide bi-annual progress updates, end of project reporting, and sharing project assurance documentation with WMNIH Moderators;
• ringfence any financial contributions for the agreed project and to not start project delivery until all required funds have been secured/pledged, unless by prior written agreement with any Funding Partners;
• report the receipt of any financial contributions to the WMNIH in a timely manner;
• adhere to the guidance provided in the Communications Toolkit to ensure consistent branding and messaging, as WMCA branding will attach to the project. WMCA will not own or be responsible for intellectual property generated by any projects matched to funders as a result of the use of this platform; and
• consent to the WMNIH Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

3.3     Project Delivery Partners should also be able to demonstrate:

• at least three years trading history supported by up-to-date financial records as registered with Companies House or the Charity Commission; and
• a track record in delivering environmental or community projects.

3.4     If small community-led organisations cannot meet any of the above criteria this will be clearly stated on the project information page.

4.1     Once an organisation is registered as a Project Delivery Partner, they can submit projects to be displayed on the Hub. The details of each project will be collected through an online form, the Project Submission Form (Form 3). Project Delivery Partners will receive a secure link through which to enter their project information. This form will identify which information fields will be made publicly visible on the Hub, and which will be held privately in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

4.2     Screening by WMNIH requires projects to:

• have identified target outputs and metrics for environmental outcomes;
• be within the geography of the West Midlands Combined Authority or be able to demonstrate social/environmental benefits within this geography;
• be planned and costed, such that it is clear what the funding sought will cover and what will be delivered as a result
• have a monitoring/reporting plan and will conduct baseline surveys if appropriate
• agree to third-party verification by WMNIH Moderators or an agreed third party visiting the site to verify post-delivery outputs
• have identified opportunities for communities to engage with and benefit from the project, where appropriate
• are ready to start delivery within 12 months of all funding being pledged, and will have all necessary permits, licensing and land agreements in place

4.3     If projects fail to meet screening criteria they will be withheld from entry to the WMNIH and a meeting will be arranged with our moderators to assist, should you wish to resubmit.

5.1     Prior to acceptance of any financial contributions, Project Delivery Partners will be required to provide assurance that:

• financial contributions will be ring-fenced for the delivery of the agreed project;
• funds will be returned to the Funding Partner in the case of the project failing to start delivery; and
• the financial contribution could not be construed as a conflict of interest, influencing or having influenced (for example) a licencing or planning application outcome, or a procurement process.

5.2     The WMNIH does not offer financial, tax, or legal advice. We strongly encourage organisations to undertake their own due diligence before entering into any agreement to receive financial contributions, including, but not limited to:

• UK tax law, HMRC rules and guidance, including for example on Gift Aid and VAT;
• verifying funder identity and source of funds; and
• assessing the risks of accepting financial contributions in line with UK financial regulations and your own organisational policies.

5.3     It is the responsibility of the Funding Partner and Project Delivery Organisation to ensure that the project funding agreement covers off all the requirements of this Terms of Use. Alternatively, this Terms of Use can be appended to the project funding agreement, as a term of the agreement, for ease.

6.1     Organisations interested in financial contributing to project on the West Midlands Nature Investment Hub (WMNIH) should read our Terms of Use and Contributions Principles before submitting a Project Enquiry Form (Form 4 – see below). WMNIH Moderators will then set up an introductory meeting between the Project Delivery Partner and the prospective Funding Partner. It will then be for the Project Delivery Partner and the Funding Partner to negotiate and agree a project funding agreement.

It is the responsibility of the Funding Partner and Project Delivery Organisation to ensure that the project funding agreement covers off all the requirements of this Terms of Use. Alternatively, this Terms of Use can be appended to the project funding agreement, as a term of the agreement, for ease.

6.2     Projects may be funded either in full or by contributing a proportion of the total required funding. Where a Funding Partner provides only a proportion of the required funding, they will not have exclusivity with regards to project impacts, reporting and marketing. Should more than one funder express an interest in funding a particular project, then interest will be secured on a first come first served basis.

6.3     The WMNIH will publish an annual impact report acknowledging all Funding Partners, summarising total funding received, and detailing outcomes delivered by all projects. Project Delivery Partners will also provide Funding Partners with project reports.

7.1     Projects welcome financial contributions from individuals, corporates, trusts, and foundations. Contributions may be one-off, recurring, or multi-year.

7.2     Funding Partners are required to adhere to the following high-integrity principles designed to prevent impropriety:

• Funding Partners must ensure that contributions come from legitimate sources and comply with applicable laws.
• Contributions must not influence WMCA or local authority decisions. Any perceived conflict of interest must be reported.

Please note:

7.3     Prior to making a financial contribution, Funding Partners are advised to note the following and take reasonable measures:

• The WMNIH does not offer financial, tax, or legal advice.
• Organisations must undertake their own due diligence (on areas including UK financial regulations, tax law, HMRC rules and guidance, including for example on Gift Aid and VAT) before entering into any agreement to fund a project.
• Financial contributions confer no ownership or control over projects.
• We recommend that funders carry out a proportionate risk assessment of the project and the delivery organisation’s financial controls.
• The WMNIH takes no responsibility for late or non-delivery of Hub projects. If a project encounters challenges to delivery, the WMNIH will seek to provide support, acting reasonably in good faith, where possible. However, accountability for delivery and the consequences of non or late delivery should be subject to the agreement between the Funding Partner and Project Delivery Partner.
• Funding partners should check widely within their business to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest between their business and the project site/wider location they are interested in e.g. an active or proposed planning application. If there is a conflict of interest (or potential conflict of interest) then funding partners should contact the WMNIH directly for a discussion.
• Be aware that Project Delivery Partners may review the source of business funding against an ethical funding exclusion statement/policy, or similar, to ensure there is no conflict between the source of funding and their organisational mission.