[WiLT] BIG Reaching Communities - still open

[WiL Admin]

Reaching communities - Summary of the programme

During 2009 -2010 BIG Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities programme will remain
open to applications. This is designed to act as a 'bridge' between our current
funding programmes and our new Open Funding stream which will go live in 2010.

The budget for Reaching Communities is £80 million, an increase of £20 million
on the budget for 2009 - 2010.

Reaching Communities funds projects that help people and communities who are
most in need, and can really make a difference. Projects can be new or existing
activities, or be the core work of your organisation.

We want to fund projects that respond to needs identified by communities, and
those that fund projects that help those most in need including those people or
groups who are hard to reach.

We want to encourage the following changes to communities as a result of our
funding:
* people having better chances in life, including being able to get better
access to training and development to improve their life skills
* strong communities, with more active citizens, working together to tackle
their problems
* improved rural and urban environments, which communities are better able to
access and enjoy
healthier and more active people and communities.

Times have changed. BIG has recognised the difficulties experienced by projects
and communities during the current economic downturn, be it increased call on
the services offered, greater need for assistance or help in accessing other
services, and accepts that we should be supporting communities and people most
in need where possible during this difficult time. In light of the current
economic circumstances BIG has decided to relax the eligibility criteria for
Reaching Communities to enable these projects to apply for funding.

The Reaching Communities programme will now accept applications for projects
that were previously eligible for other BIG programmes:

** Eligible for Reaching Communities programme **

Advice
Reaching Communities can now consider projects that provide advice on rights and
responsibilities, as well as those that offer softer advice such as counselling

Family Learning
Reaching Communities is now able to support projects that provide family
learning activities - shared learning between adults and children in the
family.Reaching Communities continues to consider projects that offer general
family support such as parenting skills.

Well - Being
Reaching Communities will continue to consider health, well - being or physical
activity projects.

Young People
Reaching Communities will now consider projects that have young people as their
primary beneficiaries

Children's Play
Reaching Communities can consider activities that include play such as after
school clubs or one o' clock clubs, and small-scale refurbishments up to £50K
capital grant and maximum £200K capital project

Community Buildings
Reaching Communities can consider small-scale refurbishments of up to £50K
capital grant and maximum capital project size of £200K.

Community Libraries
Reaching Communities will continue to fund services taking place within
libraries.

Parks
Reaching Communities can consider smaller projects within a park such as a park
warden, or a refurbished football pitch. Maximum grant of £50K, maximum capital
project size £200K

NB: Ineligible for Reaching Communities

BASIS
Reaching Communities has never considered any projects that want infrastructure
funding. This type of project is still ineligible for Reaching Communities

Changing Spaces
Projects which meet the eligibility criteria of Reaching Communities but which
we might expect to fund under the Changing Spaces programme remain ineligible
for Reaching Communities

Research
Reaching Communities has never been able to consider research projects, which
produce knowledge aimed at an external audience with the aim of increasing the
body of academic research. Research projects will remain ineligible for Reaching
Communities

Are you eligible?

You can apply to Reaching Communities if you are:
* registered charity
* voluntary or community group
* statutory body, (including schools)
* charitable or not-for-profit company
* social enterprise - a business that is chiefly run for social objectives,
whose profits are reinvested in the business rather than going to shareholders
and owners.

What to do next

Questions about Reaching Communities? Find out more at
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_reaching_communities.htm?regioncode=-uk&status=theProg&tab=3&

Reaching Communities has proven to be a popular and highly competitive
programme. Sadly, we have had to turn down some very good projects. You should
note the high levels of interest in this programme and consider whether your
project would be better suited to another Big Lottery Fund programme.

Contact
Call our national helpline for advice on 0845 410 20 30.
Email us at general.enquiries at biglotteryfund.org.uk
Call our Lottery Funding Helpline on 0845 275 00 00 or go to
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_reaching_communities