Reaching Communities opens

The programme is valued at £18 million and awards will be made between now and 2009. They have £18 million available for the Reaching Communities Northern Ireland programme between now and 2009. Under the programme, they can make grants of between £100,000 and £500,000, for up to five years. They will support and build capacity of successful applicants to ensure the effective delivery of their projects over this time period.

Under this programme they will make grants directly to voluntary and community organisations, or to voluntary and community organisations working in partnership with statutory organisations. The partnership must be led by a voluntary or community group organisation.

They want their funding to make a difference to people and communities in need in Northern Ireland.

Projects must meet one of their four key outcomes:

• People have the opportunity to achieve their full potential
• People can actively participate in their communities to bring about a positive change
• Community ownership of better and safer rural and urban environments, and
• Improved physical and mental health for all people.

Projects must also meet either one or both of their underlying principles:

• Addressing disadvantage and promoting tolerance and social inclusion
• Contributing to the reduction of poverty

In addition, all projects must meet one or more of the priorities in the Northern Ireland framework:

• Improve essential skills to meet social and economic needs
• Increase opportunity for community based learning
• Building community capacity
• Increase opportunity for volunteering and engagement with and between communities
• Build community and voluntary/statutory partnerships
• Improve community facilities, access and services
• Increase community involvement in protecting, restoring and sustaining the urban and rural environment
• Help individuals and communities to develop skills to make healthier lifestyle choices
• Promote mental health and emotional well-being at individual and community level

Funding from this programme will help those most in need. They expect this to include: people who live in disadvantaged areas; those in need through age, disability or illness; people from minority ethnic backgrounds; people with multiple or complex problems; people who are long-term unemployed amongst others.

Reaching Communities Northern Ireland is primarily a revenue programme. Applicants can apply for capital costs that are no more than 10 per cent of the total requested from Big Lottery Fund up to a maximum of £50,000. Capital costs must be directly related to the project.

Application process.

Applicants will complete an outline proposal form providing brief information about their project. They will provide feedback within 10-15 working days of receipt of this form. If they think their project outcomes are those they would want to support, they will send an application form to be submitted within six months.

Key dates

• 27 April 2006 – programme launch
• Late 2006 – first awards will be made

If you would like to attend any of these events please contact our office in Northern Ireland on 028 9055 1455 and ask for the Information Team.

Closing dates for FULL applications - (outline proposals are recommended to be submitted 3 monts prior to the Full application deadline)

• 6 September 2006, 5pm
• 2 May 2007, 5pm
• 5 September 2007, 5pm
• 7 May 2008, 5pm
• 3 September 2008, 5pm

If you have any queries about this programme, contact the Information team in Northern Ireland: 028 9055 1455

You can also obtain a Reaching Communities Northern Ireland outline proposal form and guidance notes.

http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/programmes/reachcomms_ni/index.htm

Application Materials
Guidance notes (456Kb) (PDF)
Outline proposal form (80Kb) (PDF)
Information leaflet (794Kb) (PDF)

Additional Information
Your project and its outcomes (152Kb) (PDF)
Questions and answers