Big Lottery Fund

Summary of the programme

Reaching Communities Northern Ireland was launched in April 2006, with approximately £18 million available from 2006 to 2009. The programme gives grants to voluntary and community led organisations where beneficiaries and the wider community are involved in the project.

Grants are for projects lasting three to five years, from £100,000 to £500,000. This is mainly revenue funding and capital costs must not exceed 10 per cent of the total grant requested.

We want to bring about the following changes through this programme:

• People having opportunities to achieve their full potential
• People participating in their communities to make positive changes
• Community ownership of better and safer rural and urban environments
• Improved physical and mental health for all people.

Further information on the outcomes, priorities and underlying principles of Reaching Communities Northern Ireland is set out in the programme guidance notes.

Guidance on using SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound) outcomes is provided in the document Explaining the Difference Your Project Makes.

Reaching Communities Northern Ireland has proven to be very popular. The programme is now closed. Information on grants made can be found in the news & events section.

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