What's the Big Deal?

The aim of The Big Deal is to encourage children and young people to become involved in participatory activities which enhance their personal and social development and to have the skills, knowledge and opportunities to make informed choices about their lives and demonstrate their positive contribution to family and community life.

The Big Deal brings together many of the key stakeholders involved in the development, delivery and management of children and youth services in Northern Ireland:

• YouthNet (lead partner);
• PlayBoard, the Northern Ireland Youth Forum and the Education & Library Boards (delivery partners);
• Youth Council for Northern Ireland(strategy and co-ordination partner).

Individuals or informal groups of children and young people aged 0 to 25 (a group applying should be made up of no less than 3 people). An informal group can be a friendship group or a group who share a common interest. They can also be members of a club or centre but they cannot fund the club or centre they belong to.

An individual can apply for a grant of £500. An informal group can apply for a grant of between £500 and £2,500.

How to apply

They have a two step application process. Step one is an outline proposal form and step two is a full application.

You can
• download an outline proposal form and guidance notes
• email: info@thebigdealni.com
• phone: (028) 9033 1880
• fax: (028) 9033 1977

You can send them an Outline Proposal Form at any time up to 30 September 2009.

www.thebigdealni.com