13 April 2000

£4.7 million double boost for regional voluntary sector

The regional voluntary sector is to get a £1.7 million boost today (April 13) to enable it to become more effective - and to make its voice heard at all levels of Government.

Five regional charities are to receive grants from the National Lottery Charities Board's Regional Voluntary Sector Infrastructure Initiative. They will use the money to help smaller community groups grow - by providing information, advice, training, networking and technical support.

The news comes on top of the announcement of grants of £1.5 million from the Home Office Active Community Unit for regional infrastructure, and a further £1.5 million range of awards to black and minority ethnic groups.

Vandna Gohil, England Policy & Development Manager, said: "The long term success of voluntary and community groups depends on them having the skills, the time and the money to identify needs and tackle them in their communities.

"Regional Development Agencies are now established and regional assemblies are set to follow - this means voluntary groups must be able to argue their case as powerfully as possible at this level."

The awards come after a wide-ranging consultation with voluntary groups by the Charities Board, Home Office and Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. Applications were invited from regional groups for projects with three key objectives:

• Support for research initiatives that enable the voluntary and community sector to be effective at a regional level.
• Capacity building for organisations in a region to engage in the regional agenda.
• The reduction of barriers to participation by organisations wanting to engage in the regional agenda.

Ms Gohil added: "We believe these awards will help to strengthen the sector at all levels. I hope applications for similar projects now come from the regions which were not successful this time -; North West, South East, South West and Eastern."

For a full list of Regional Voluntary Sector Infrastructure awards please see the attached sheet.

For further information contact Vandna Gohil, England Policy & Development Manager - 0116 258 7000

Media enquiries to Martin Valentine - 0116 258 7023