Big Lottery Consultation
Big Thinking is a fundamental review of how Lottery funding should be spent over the next 6 years (2009 – 2015) and is critical to set priorities for the future especially at a time of economic instability.
The Big Lottery Fund recently held a live consultation event in Birmingham that has enabled the public to express their views on how the Big Lottery Fund’s good cause money should be allocated through its grant funding programmes between 2009 and 2015.
Issues raised on 14th January included:-
• BIG needs to provide more detailed feedback to unsuccessful applicants (larger grants) and to smarten up on application processes.
• Need to continue to ensure 60 – 70% of Lottery funding is targeted towards organisation in the VCS.
• BIG remains a key funder who can help meet the needs of local communities and build strong and independent organisations meeting the needs of many vulnerable people.
• Concerns about the range, and complexity of current funding programmes– BIG is consulting on the new concept of open, community and targeted approaches to guide its work
• Concerns about the role of BIG in administering government funding programmes and in one example being seen as an agent of Government.
• Continued need to invest in local expertise and organisations that build capacity of the VCS and local communities.
In Herefordshire, a partnership response will be made to this consultation which HVA will be a part of, but we need feedback from voluntary and community groups so that our contribution is an accurate reflection of feeling in the county.
However if you wish to complete the questionnaire on behalf of your organisation, full details are available at www.big-thinking.org.uk
The consultation is structured around 10 BIG key questions, which are being used to stimulate debate and discussion. The website includes a Facebook page, a blog and quiz, as well as the online questionnaire itself. The consultation ends on 27th February 2009.
If you have any comments/feedback or suggestions about how the lottery’s good cause money should be allocated in future, please can you send them to Will Lindesay at wlindesay@herefordshireva.org
