NI young have their say in spending lottery millions

A multi-million pound fund to boost the well-being and personal development of young people across Northern Ireland was launched today by the Big Lottery Fund.

Change UR Future is the first strand of the Big Lottery Fund’s ground-breaking Young People’s Fund and will distribute £10.8 million to improve the lives of young people at greatest risk of exclusion or offending.

The innovative programme, which will give young people in Northern Ireland the chance to direct National Lottery funding for the first time, was launched in Derry this morning at a special event organised by young people.

Big Lottery Fund NI Board Member Paul Cavanagh welcomed the launch of the programme. He said: “I am delighted that the Big Lottery Fund is working closely with local young people to deliver this programme. We consulted widely with a wide range of people but more importantly we asked young people themselves what they wanted in this programme.

“We want to fund projects which help young people stay safe, be healthy, contribute to their community, enjoy themselves and overcome economic disadvantage. Change UR Future is about how young people can make a difference in their local communities funding projects they have asked for and providing services which can make a real difference to their lives.”

Lottery grants of between £40,000 and £500,000 will be made available under the programme to fund a range of activities and programmes tackling a wide range of issues such as suicide, bullying and addiction through activities such as outdoor pursuits and training for young people up to the age of 25.

(MB/SP)