Exit strategy

As your project draws to a close, there may be excellent work that you would like to continue after the end of the project should funding be available.

The ULF can be a good way for unions to bring something to the table where employers and partners see the benefits of working with the union and are prepared to work in partnership to access additional funding to build on good work in ULF. A good example of this has been in the North West, where partners such as Aim Higher and the North West Universities Association have worked with unionlearn to provide additional funding from HEFCE to support unions develop strategies on Higher Education and provide ULF projects with pathways into HE which would not otherwise have existed.

While it can be tempting to access additional funding for its own sake, good practice is to consider this only where the funding criteria are complementary to ULF and the funding adds value. A good rule of thumb is to develop strong partnerships which open access to funding, but with a clear recognition that this funding is to support union priorities.

Additional funding is not always in the form of actual money, particularly when it comes from employers. The most valuable support is use of premises, some time off to learn and time for ULRs to carry out their duties. Of course this does have a cost to employers, and it’s important to acknowledge this and its importance to sustainability.