Under our International Communities programme we want to fund projects that will tackle the causes of poverty and deprivation in the developing world and bring about a long-term difference to the lives of the world’s poorest people.

Voluntary organisations working with young carers and those leaving care or young offenders’ institutions can now apply for a Youth in Focus grant to provide practical help and advice.

BIG in Scotland will set up a new independent trust that will benefit both the young and the elderly, and give it £50 million to invest and spend over the next 10 years.

The Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Out programmes – Empowering Young People and Connecting Older People –  will invest up to £40 million into supporting older and young people across Northern Ireland.

BIG in England is investing up to £200 million in 100 – 150 urban and rural neighbourhoods that have been overlooked for funding. The funding is to set up an independent charitable Trust that will support local funding schemes in the targeted neighbourhoods.