Programme updates
The ‘Investing in our Communities’ manifesto sets out what the Big Lottery Fund wants to achieve with the £257 million it has to commit before 31 March 2009. As of June 2008, we have awarded almost £143 million to hundreds of projects across Scotland, through Investing in Communities, Investing in Ideas, the Young People’s Fund and Awards for All.
With the 1 August deadline for Outline Proposal Forms fast approaching - and demand for funding remaining high - we are only able to invest in those projects that most closely meet our outcomes and priorities. As we move towards 2009 we are also particularly keen to get applications from projects meeting outcomes that have not yet received very much funding.
The manifesto details how the Big Lottery Fund will fund projects that fit into one of its four themed areas of investment. The paragraphs below provide details of important updates in each of these areas. You can keep up to date with programme news and key information by subscribing to our monthly ebulletin.
The 1 August 2008 deadline for Outline Proposal Forms for Investing in Communities has now passed.
Growing Community Assets: While we can support communities to acquire assets, we are particularly keen to support development of assets which are already in community ownership.
We would like to ensure a fair spread of funding across Scotland, but we have not received as many applications as we would like from communities in the east and north east of Scotland. If your community is thinking of applying, but you’re not sure where to start, give our information team a call on 0870 240 2391.
As of June 2008, we’ve funded 60 projects worth over £20 million through Growing Community Assets.
Life Transitions: We know that people face times of change at many stages in their lives – they deal with growing up, growing old, moving out and moving on. This area of funding will help people deal with and make transitions in their lives – at different life stages and in different circumstances. As of June 2008, we’ve committed over £28 million to 80 Life Transitions projects..
Supporting 21st Century Life: We are currently experiencing a very high demand for funding through this investment area, and will only be able to fund projects which are a strong fit with what we are trying to achieve. In order to be considered for funding, your project must show how it will meet at least two of the outcomes and one of our priorities.
We have funded a wide range of projects that help foster trust and understanding, and improve relationships and connections between people and communities. We are particularly keen to receive applications that:
- support people with the challenges of parenting especially lone-parents, step families, fathers and grandparents
- gain a better understanding of our changing needs as users of support services
- encourage people from different generations to spend more time together
- give advice and information to encourage relationships, positive connections between people and contact between generations.
We’ve made 85 awards through Supporting 21st Century Life, totalling £25 million, as of June 2008.
Dynamic, Inclusive Communities: On 31st January 2008 Dynamic Inclusive Communities closed to Outline Proposal Forms. We've now built a clear picture of the types of projects we’re likely to receive applications from and the outcomes they will help us meet.
