Programme updates

BIG programmes for People, Places and Communities

As a result of consultation, BIG has developed a portfolio of programmes for Northern Ireland. Information on this consultation and the resulting programmes are available in The Big Message: Consultation Outcomes and New Northern Ireland Programmes which can be found in the publications section of our website.

As an outcomes funder BIG is clear about the wider changes that it wants its funding to make overall.  For each of our funding programmes we have identified outcomes, priorities and underlying principles. These are set out in the guidance notes for each programme.  We have also produced a guide for applicants on planning and managing a project using an outcomes approach. This document is called Explaining the difference your project makes: A BIG guide to using an outcomes approach and it is available in the grant application section of our website.

Reaching Communities Northern Ireland

This programme makes grants to voluntary and community sector bodies. In Northern Ireland, we have approximately £18 million available for the Reaching Communities Northern Ireland programme up to 2009. We want our funding to make a difference to people and communities in need in Northern Ireland. We will support and build the capacity of successful applicants to ensure the effective delivery of their projects over this time period. This programme is currently under review to ensure that we make the most effective use of available resources. We want to ensure that the programme guidance materials are as up to date as possible and reflect the learning we have had after two programme closing dates. Changes to the programme will be announced in September 2007 and organisations can then submit outline proposal forms and full applications in line with the new requirements of the programme. The next deadline will be January 2007. The deadlines of May 2008 and September 2008 will remain the same.

Safe and Well

The Safe and Well programme aims to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged communities in Northern Ireland by funding preventative projects that encourage well-being. This programme will encourage communities to work together to tackle health and safety issues. We have about £18million available for the Safe and Well programme in Northern Ireland.

The Safe and Well programme has a two stage application process. At stage one we want to identify 20-25 projects and offer development funding to assist these projects to proceed to stage two. At stage two, we expect to offer approximately 12 to 15 grants. The minimum grant available is £600,000 and the maximum is £1m for 5 years. You can download guidance notes and a stage one application form from this website. The guidance notes contain detailed information on the aims, outcomes and priorities of the programme, and how to apply. The closing date for stage one applications is 5pm 31 July 2007.

Live and Learn

The aim of Live and Learn programme is to increase learning opportunities and promote well-being among Northern Ireland’s most disadvantaged communities. The programme has a two stage application process. The closing date for stage one applications was on the 29 March 2007. Applicants who are successful at stage one will be requested to submit a stage two application form by the deadline of 30 July 2008.

Improving Community Buildings

The application deadline was Friday 24 May at 5pm, therefore this programme is now closed to applications.

In September 2006 BIG launched its Improving Community Buildings programme. This one-off capital refurbishment and modernisation programme has a single application stage. This programme, valued at approximately £5million, will be very competitive as we have had a lot of interest in this funding since consultation. We anticipate funding approximately 100 projects, with awards being made in December 2007.The minimum grant size is £25,000 and the maximum is £50,000. Total project costs must not exceed £75,000 (including VAT and contingency costs).

Building Change Trust

In March 2007 BIG announced the Building Change Trust in Northern Ireland. Proposals are being sought from organisations or partnerships that want to establish a Corporate Trustee and a new charitable Trust in Northern Ireland. There will be a single grant of £10 million given as an endowment, expendable over ten years between 2008 and 2018.  Our aim for the Building Change Trust, and for the work it supports, is to build the capacity of the Voluntary and Community Sector by equipping it to meet the changing needs of Northern Ireland communities. Expressions of interest were made in April and the deadline for proposals is 5pm on the 29 June 2007. Further information on the Building Change Trust is available in the application section of this website.

Young People’s Fund

This programme was delivered in two strands. Big Lottery Fund ran a successful open grants programme called Change UR Future which closed in September 2006.

An award partner - YouthNet in partnership with the NI Youth Forum, PlayBoard, the Education and Library Boards and the Youth Council for Northern Ireland, are currently running The Big Deal.

The grants target young people within the age ranges of 0 to 25 to encourage them to become involved in activities to boost health and well being, provide opportunities for achievement and learning and to help them contribute to family and community life. A number of pioneering programmes are on offer, which involve young people in the decision making process. Young people can also apply for funding of between £500 and £2,500 to develop projects that will make a difference to their lives, families and communities.

More information is available by contacting YouthNet on 028 90331880.

Awards for All

BIG is committed to continuing its support for this joint Lottery Distributor scheme of small grants, £500 to £10,000. BIG will increase its contribution to £3.5 million per year for Awards for All in 2006-2009.

Guidance notes and application forms are available on the Awards for All website: www.awardsforall.org.uk or by phoning 0845 600 2040.

More information

Further guidance and application material for our funding programmes is available in the application section of this website. If you have any queries about programmes in Northern Ireland or require further assistance, you can call our information team on 028 9055 1455 or textphone 028 9055 1431.

Alternatively, you can email us at enquiries.ni@biglotteryfund.org.uk.

England and UK programmes 2006 - 2009 (305Kb) (PDF)