Big Lottery Fund: Reaching Communities
Overview
Reaching Communities Northern Ireland was launched in Northern Ireland on 27 April 2006. Approximately £18 million is available from 2006 up until 2009. The programme will make grants to voluntary and community led organisations, where beneficiaries and the wider community are involved in all aspects of the project.
They will fund projects for three to five years and the grant size is £100,000 to £500,000. This is mainly revenue funding, capital costs must not exceed 10 per cent.
They want to fund projects that aim to achieve one or more of the programme outcomes AND all of the priorities under each of the outcomes the project meets AND at least one of the underlying principles.
Outcome A: People have the opportunity to achieve their full potential
- Improve essential skills to meet social and economic needs
- Increase opportunity for community based learning
- Build community capacity
Outcome B: People can actively participate in their communities to bring about positive change
- Increase opportunity for volunteering and engagement within and between communities
- Build community and voluntary/statutory partnerships
Outcome C: Community ownership of better and safer rural and urban environments
- Improve community facilities, access and services
- Increase community involvement in protecting, restoring and sustaining the urban and rural environment
Outcome D: Improved physical and mental health for all people
- Help individuals and communities to develop skills to make healthier lifestyle choices
- Promote mental health and emotional well-being at individual and
- community level
Underlying Principles
- Addressing disadvantage and promoting tolerance and social inclusion
- Contributing to the reduction of poverty
How to Apply
All applicants will need to submit their applications on the outline proposal and full application forms. These should be submitted by the deadline dates.
You can download application material and guidance notes from their website.
Please note that Reaching Communities Northern Ireland has proven to be a very popular and highly competitive programme. Competition for funds was very high, and difficult decisions have to be made, often resulting in very good projects not being funded.