• BIG Research
• National Lottery Awards
• Families Learning Together
• Young People's Fund 2

Regional introduction

Last month we launched the myplace programme, one of the non-Lottery funding programmes we have been asked to deliver. We were joined by a large range of people from across our public, private, and voluntary sectors, and hope to see the fruits of these discussions as applications begin to filter through.

On a similar note, we hope to see some strong BASIS applications coming in shortly, following our work with key stakeholders around North East priorities, and our recent events and networking opportunities around application processes.

Last month also saw the opening of Young People’s Fund 2, and we would welcome your interest in this programme which puts young people at the fore of project planning and delivery. In addition to this, Reaching Communities and Awards for All are still having a positive impact on the region, and Changing Spaces presents plenty of scope for organisations whose work overlaps with the themes of environment and health.

Please be aware that Family Learning closes in August, and that this programme provides the opportunity for helping families come together to learn new skills and develop interests. Should you want more information about any of these programmes you can visit our website or call our advice line at any time. 0845 4 10 20 30.

myplace

140 people joined us last month at Big Lottery Fund offices to hear from speakers including Government Office North East, Operations staff at BIG, and a young person from Just 4 Youth.

This programme is intended to deliver world-class youth facilities across the country. Partnerships between voluntary, public, and private sector are being encouraged to improve strategic planning and ensure effective use of resources.   

Projects must deliver on four different outcomes, and demonstrate the active participation of young people.

To find out more about myplace visit our website.

If you would like to know who attended the launch event, and talk to us about your local authority area, please call 0191 376 1881. All applications require a degree of sign off from the local authority. Our guidance notes provide more information.

BASIS

We held a productive session last month to clarify the application process for the BASIS programme. Following extensive consultation, we have outlined our key areas of focus for the North East region. Organisations across the North East are now looking at how they can ensure a co-ordinated and comprehensive approach to the application process, and how we can do our best to make sure we can deliver the goals outlined in the priorities.

Read about the North East priorities on our website. If you would like to know more about applying in relation to one of the priorities, call us on 0191 376 1881.

BIG Research

The aim of the Research programme is to influence local and national policy and practice by funding the Third Sector to produce and disseminate evidence based knowledge. In the longer term the programme, through producing sound evidence, will aim to help develop better services and interventions for beneficiaries.

There are five outcomes which organisations need to be able to meet.

1. Improved understanding of issues relating to the Big Lottery Fund’s UK themes and country outcomes

2. Improved Third Sector participation and knowledge in developing, doing and using research

3. Improved dissemination of Third Sector led research

4. Increased participation of beneficiaries and users in a range of research roles

5. Improved partnerships between the Third Sector and the research community.

Pre-application seminars have been organised by Momenta. If you are new to research and want some advice, Third Sector First can help through their seminars. Unfortunately, the event that was planned for Newcastle has been cancelled, but sessions are still taking place in Cardiff, Glasgow, and London. Find out more on our website.

National Lottery Awards

An independent judging panel will now shortlist 10 projects in each of the seven categories. If you submitted an entry for this year’s awards, you should have been notified by now as to whether or not your project was shortlisted.

See the shortlist and add your vote here.

Families Learning Together

Do you have a project that can help families spend more valuable time toegether?

This programme helps parents to understand more about how their children learn and encourages adults and children to learn together as a family. The programme closes in August 2008.

Read more about the programme and find out about one successful project Middlesbrough Environment City which is helping families share and learn gardening skills.

Give us a call if you would like to find out more. If you are thinking of applying, get in touch, so you can make sure you submit an application before our deadline this summer - 0191 376 1881.

Young People's Fund 2

The programme has two aims:

·to ensure that all organisations that provide services to young people, involve them in

developing, running and reviewing policies and services

·to help achieve the five Every Child Matters outcomes.

Up to £38 million is available to support projects across England where young people lead from start to finish. This programme will only consider projects that are youth-led.

The programme is focussed on changing the lives of young people aged 10–18. We will also support projects working with young people up to the age of 25 if they are finding the change to independent living difficult.

The programme is open to voluntary and community sector organisations. It will offer grants of between £10,000 and £500,000 to support activities and services lasting between 1 and 5 years. Find out more on our website.