Programme launches

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Cash splash
NOF is making an extra £12m available to fund a targeted summer activities programme in 10 areas of England, run in partnership with the Youth Justice Board, which piloted the scheme last year. Youth offending teams in the 10 areas will identify estates with the highest numbers of young people who have committed street crime; trouble-shooting activities will include team sports and music workshops. Funds are being allocated, amounts yet to be announced, and the schemes will begin in July. The 10 selected high street crime areas are: London, West Midlands, Nottinghamshire, Avon and Somerset, Thames Valley, Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, South and West Yorkshire. 

Strategic awards
This UK-wide programme will launch in September, replacing the old CF England-wide and UK-wide grants schemes. It is intended for projects that cross geographical boundaries, such as more than one England region, or more than one UK country, as well as for projects whose scope is nationwide. The CF’s priority beneficiary categories will apply to this scheme, too. Total available funding is £30m a year; the programme has no closing date, no minimum or maximum award limit.

Time to think
Nesta has launched a pilot fellowship programme to give talented individuals the chance of a career-break. The Lottery-created endowment fund is to offer six awards – two each in arts, science and technology – of up to £40,000 to enable six exceptional people to escape the rigours and restrictions of their normal professional environments for between six months and a year, in order to free their creative potential and recharge their batteries. 

Successful applicants will be expected to put up 10% of their needs through in-kind support. The scheme is UK-wide with a closing date of 25 August 2002; more information and application procedures are at www.nesta.org.uk/dreamtime

Young bums on seats
The supposedly running-down Millennium Commission announced another new programme during May, its £2m-plus UK-wide Millennium Encore scheme to subsidise theatre tickets for school children. The aim is to broaden access to a range of performance arts – opera, ballet, theatre, musicals, orchestral and chamber concerts – for 50,000 young people with special needs or otherwise disadvantaged. The scheme will run through three partner organisations: the National Association of Clubs for Young People (£1,025,000), Happy Days Children’s Charity (£116,000) and Arts and Business (£1m). 

Happy Days will consider applications from special needs schools. The NACYP has its own network of clubs and affiliated schools, through which it will promote the chance to apply for funding. The bulk of the Arts and Business grant will fund the startup of a new campaign, Arts for Kids, launching 20 June and backed by the Prince of Wales. www.starpeople.org.uk

Drugs action 
NOF has just launched Better Off, its Scotland-only £10m anti-drugs programme, being run by the 22 Drug Action Teams throughout Scotland. Each DAT has been given an indicative allocation of funds to award to groups working locally in the field of drug rehabilitation. Interested organisations will need to apply to their local DAT (forms will be ready by July), which will then submit a portfolio bid to NOF. The minimum award is £5,000 and there are two application rounds. Applications for Round 1 close 16 September 2002, Round 2 opens April 2003 and closes 28 July 2003. If you want to find out how to contact your local DAT, call NOF Scotland on 0141 242 7800.

Scottish heart health
NOF has also just launched its £32m Scotland-only ‘New Opportunities for Health’ Round 3 programme. This subdivides as follows:

• £16.6m for projects that help reduce the burden of heart disease and stroke
• £10m for cancer initiatives, both prevention and treatment
• £5.4m for palliative care

NHS Boards have been given indicative allocations of funds available to them for the CHD and palliative care elements of this programme, and will be expected to coordinate applications in their areas. Cancer care funds are being coordinated by Regional Cancer Advisory Groups. Potential applications should consult their local NHS Board for details. Applications close January 2003.