A new approach, a new programme portfolio. After two years of consultation and strategic development, the time has come for the Lottery to act. The Big Lottery Fund has now started to launch its new programmes and it intends to be more than the sum of its component parts (the New Opportunities Fund and the Community Fund). At this
year’s conference, the Chair of the Big Lottery Fund, Sir Clive Booth, will offer his account of how this mission is being achieved.

From the programmes already launched one thing is clear; public involvement is now a key ingredient in Lottery funding. Applicants to the Peoples Millions scheme had to submit their projects to a public vote in their region, while those seeking major grants to construct a new ‘Living Landmark' for their town or city had to show that the local community was fully on board. For any Lottery application it is now essential to submit a bid that is both robust and popular.

The National Lottery Bill, which legally creates the Big Lottery Fund, has spent a year working its way through Parliament and has revived many concerns about whether Lottery funding is being used to replace mainstream government funding. The chief executives of the distributors have promised to address these concerns on an annual basis, but how do they plan to do this? Discover how you can help them deliver projects that add value.

After 2009

The post-2009 landscape is now starting to loom large on the horizon. The government has completed its consultation on how much funding should go to the arts, heritage and sport in the future and is poised to announce its decision. You could be among the first to find out the winners and losers. Is sport, in the wake of London's success in securing the Games, set to sweep all before it? The Lottery is playing a major part in funding the Games and Camelot will provide an exclusive progress report.

After 2009, there could also be a new consortium running the Lottery. The preparations for the third licence competition are now well under way and proposed returns to good causes will be a key element of any successful bid. Hear from the National Lottery Commission about the plans to run the contest and how to get the best deal for all.

Make sure you take advantage of this opportunity to influence your future at the Lottery forum of the year. Register today to ensure your authority or good cause doesn't miss out.