19 May 1998

Seminars on form to win grant

A valuable source of funding for voluntary group projects is offered by the National Lottery Charities Board. To ensure that community groups wishing to apply have the best chance of success the Charities Board is holding free seminars all across Wales on how to apply. Two evening seminars will be held in mid-Wales in May, at Machynlleth on 21 May and at Cardigan 27 May.

Wales Director, Roy Norris said, "The Charities Board is taking a proactive approach to informing prospective applicants before the application forms are submitted. Our main target groups are those that lack the confidence to make applications and those that may have been disappointed in the past. The seminars give community groups the opportunity to plan their projects. Our past experience shows that these seminars have proved valuable in terms of enabling groups, be they small or large, to prepare quality applications.

"Ultimately the Charities Board is striving to ensure that funding goes towards the most worthwhile causes in our society. By offering seminars in local areas we can be sure that the chances of success are the same for all groups."

In June, seminars will be held at Pontypridd (3 June), Cardiff (16 June) and Newport (23 June).

Groups seeking further information on the seminars are invited to call 0345 273273.