06/11/2008

Lottery Underpins Voluntary Sector

Big Lottery Fund has announced details of a multi-million pound investment to help develop and shape the future of Northern Ireland's community and voluntary sector.

The Building Change Trust will invest £10 million to help community groups and larger voluntary organisations adapt and develop new ways of working.

The Trust marks a pioneering way of investing National Lottery funding in Northern Ireland and details of how the investment will help support communities were unveiled at a special event in W5 today.

The Lottery cash will be invested over the next 10 years. By investing the Trust will not make grants in a traditional way, but will look at what resources already exist in communities and identify ways to support communities to develop and change.

The Trust will identify detailed programmes that promote volunteering, develop the local community infrastructure and leadership skills in rural and urban communities. Part of the Trust will be invested to offer loans and advice to community and voluntary organisations.

Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, Breidge Gadd, said: "The Building Change Trust marks a radical departure in the way National Lottery Good Cause funding is distributed in Northern Ireland.

"Through the Trust we are moving away from traditional grant making which the community and voluntary sector is familiar with and are investing Lottery funding into bringing about a real change in the sector.

"I believe that the Building Change Trust will create a dynamic process of thinking and visioning to ensure that the community and voluntary sector will be fit for purpose in the future," she said.

(BMcC)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

07 November 2011
NI Lottery Fund Winners Celebrated
A scheme offering support for deaf people across the North West has been announced as a winner at the National Lottery Awards 2011.
27 June 2002
Partnership a necessity for regional reconstruction: Durkan
Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan has emphasised the need to work in partnership as the Executive endeavours to rebuild the regional landscape of Northern Ireland.
25 November 2024
SDLP Seeks Views On Proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill
The SDLP has announced the launch of a public consultation of their proposed Regional Jobs, Skills and Investment Bill, describing it as an opportunity to rebalance the economy across the North. The consultation opened online today and will close on Sunday 16th February.
28 March 2011
Church To Become Community Arts Centre
The organistaion that owns a derelict 150-year-old church in Duncairn, has been awarded £1m to help with vital restoration work. 174 Trust were awarded the funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund to transform Duncairn Presbyterian Church into a community arts centre.
25 March 2011
North Belfast Church To Become Community Arts Centre
The trust that owns a derelict 150-year-old church in Duncairn, has been awarded £1m to help with vital restoration work. 174 Trust were awarded the funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund to transform Duncairn Presbyterian Church into a community arts centre.