# Big Lottery Fund in NI makes changes to grant programme

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/09/08/big-lottery-fund-ni-makes-changes-grant-programme/
- Published: 2017-09-08T11:03:13+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The Big Lottery Fund in Northern Ireland has made changes to one of its flagship
grant programmes.**

The changes apply to the [Empowering Young People grants programme](http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/empowering-young-people)
which is designed to support projects that give young people aged 8 to 25 years 
old the ability to overcome the challenges they face.

The changes, which the Fund says will make for an easier application process, include
allowing applicants to talk to Big Lottery staff and get a quick decision, shorter
forms and a different grant size – from £30,000 to £500,000. Previously maximum 
grants were up to £600,000. Grants can now be for 2 to 5 years.

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Empowering Young People’s objectives are largely similar to previous grant rounds.
We’re looking to fund projects that meet one or more of the objectives below:

• More young people have the skills they need for the future

• Young people have better relationships with their support networks and communities

• Young people have improved health and wellbeing

Crucial to applications is that they can show that young people are fully involved
in the development, design, running and evaluation of the project.

After organisations apply the process will be:

• An initial assessment

• Initial feedback

• A visit from Big Lottery Fund staff

• A decision

The final decision about applications will be made by either staff within the Fund(
if your application is under £200,000) or a committee of independent experts and
young people (if your application is over £200,000).

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 * **[Government announces £28 million Life Chances funding for children and young people](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/05/09/government-announces-28m-life-chances-funding-children-young-people/)**(
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