The Big Lottery Fund is announcing changes to its operational funding processes that will be implemented throughout 2005 as it continues to develop and launch its new funding programmes.

Programmes previously operated by the New Opportunities Fund, which were all time limited, will be phased out in line with published timetables. Meanwhile, applications for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Funding Programmes, previously run by the Community Fund, will be wound down. This includes the Medium and Large Grants Programmes in England, and the UK-wide Strategic Grants Programme, including international and research. The deadline for applications to be submitted to these programmes is 31 May 2005 and the Fund will be awarding and announcing grants up to November 2005.

Sir Clive Booth, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund, said: “We want our new programmes to build on the achievements of the initiatives previously delivered by the Community Fund and New Opportunities Fund, but also to be more than the sum of their parts. Inevitably there are some significant changes ahead and since we have a very strong commitment to customer care, we want to give our clients as much notice as possible of these changes.”

Sir Clive Booth added: “The Fund anticipates high numbers of applications to the VCS Funding Programmes before our deadlines and strong competition for funds. Applicants may therefore want to wait for the opening of our new programmes later in 2005.”

The Big Lottery Fund’s first new programme, the Young People’s Fund, is currently being rolled out in England and is open for applications from organisations. From early summer to late 2005, building on the outcomes of the current wide consultation, the Fund expects to launch incrementally a range of new programmes. These will include new international and research grants programmes UK-wide. Awards for All will also continue across the UK in 2005-2006. The Big Lottery Fund has given an undertaking that 60-70% of its new funding will go to the voluntary and community sector and 30-40% to the public sector and others.

Any groups seeking further information about these changes to Lottery funding should would visit their website at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk or ring their Big Advice Line on 0845 4 10 20 30.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the timetables for phasing out the Medium and Large Grants Programmes will be published shortly.