Every year, we appeal to our community and staff members to submit their Navigo Project of the Year ideas and we shortlist successful entries before putting them to a vote at our Annual General Meeting.

But this year, we’re doing things a little different, as Project of the Year becomes ‘Projects’ of the Year (POTY).

That’s right. Rather than focusing on just one project, our membership has decided to support several smaller projects throughout the year. This means that two (count ‘em) projects were chosen by members at our Navigo AGM in September. And two projects will be selected by members in March 2025, when we reopen for submissions.

Not only does this allow for even more creative ideas, but ensures that innovative new approaches can be introduced throughout the year – addressing specific needs that might occur. Plus, funding can be spread across a number of initiatives rather than one main project.

The deadline for all project submissions for March's POTY is 5pm on Friday 7 February, 2025.

Submit a Projects of the Year proposal

Navigo members will vote to fund two projects from those that are proposed.

The maximum funding amount available for each project this year is £10,000. Proposals need to be covered by the funds available and cannot include any ongoing funding requirements, such as ongoing staffing costs.

Please complete your application providing as much detail as possible. If your application is successful, your idea will then be submitted for shortlisting and voting.

The winning entries, as voted for by the membership, will have the full support of Navigo — with a project team established to spend focused time developing the projects.

We’re open to all of your ideas, however creative they are, but to help we’ve included some key points below.

As well as this, any proposals must reflect our commitment to function as an environmentally sustainable organisation.

  • Staff members can submit one entry per team. For example, Corporate Affairs directorate contains within it the Business Development, Communication and Marketing, Contracts/Legal, Engagement and Co-production teams, all of which are eligible to submit individual entries
  • If teams decide to club together, this will be classed as the one entry for each of the teams involved
  • Community members will need to liaise with the appropriate team their entry relates to so it can be supported
  • Staff members should ensure they have the support of the relevant service area before submitting an entry
  • Bids must not exceed £10,000 per entry
  • Applications must give confirmation of no ongoing spend or additional cost, such as back fill of staff or commitment to ongoing subscription costs
  • Applications cannot be for core staffing of any kind other than buying in sessional staff, where it is necessary, to deliver aspects of a project
  • Applications can be for any of the following. However, this is not an exhaustive list so if your idea does not fit into any of these categories and you are not sure it qualifies, please email navigo.navigomembership@nhs.net for advice:
    • An event
    • Equipment (but not essential equipment for delivering services)
    • Wellbeing
    • Improvement to support service users but not for core services e.g. trip out for service users.
    • Environments – e.g. decorating but not essential, such as a mural
    • Enhancement to existing service provision
  • Applications must give a breakdown of the benefits including how many people they benefit. Applications must benefit more than one person
  • The person submitting a bid must be responsible for their project idea and ensure the money is spent as indicated in their entry and in line with this criterion
  • Applications should include details of how service user feedback or engagement with relevant stakeholders contributed to the project idea
  • Applications should outline how relevant stakeholders will be involved in the development and implementation of the project, including provision in the budget for any minor associated costs.

If you’d like to submit a project for possible consideration, please complete this application form, providing as much detail as possible.

You must be a Navigo staff or community member to submit a proposal. 

If your application is successful, we will contact you to help you write up your proposal in full with appropriate costings. Your idea will be submitted for shortlisting before being subject to a voting process in March 2025.

Please note any projects submitted that are not shortlisted will not be automatically carried forward for selection next year. Submissions need to be made within the designated Projects of the Year deadlines. 

BACK TO AGM 2024