Reporter 13/5/98: Awards by outside bodies

AWARDS BY OUTSIDE BODIES

The Millennium Festival

A £100 million grant programme is being set up to support local and regional millennium celebrations throughout the UK. This programme is a joint commitment of the Millenium Commission and the National Lottery Distributors in partnership with the New Millennium Experience Company, which is responsible for planning the national Millennium Experience at Greenwich.

Applications for funding will be expected to identify with one or more of the following themes:

to understand and preserve our inheritance
religious faith
to encourage social inclusion and participation in millennium activities by communities that are disadvantaged through poverty, age, race, geography, and/or discrimination
to support the aspirations and potential of people with disabilities
to give time to community projects
to protect and sustain our environment
to develop life-long learning
to promote artistic and sporting activities, events, and programmes
to realize the potential of the millennium to lift the mood and profile of the nation
to harness the spirit of 'creative Britain' through the encouragement of self-supporting regional and local activities
to have an international dimension

Large grants will be awarded to schemes which have a significant impact beyond the immediate locality. A small number of high profile projects which have an impact nationally will also be supported. Applications are likely to come from local authorities and other non-profit making organizations, either individually or acting in consortia, that can demonstrate widespread public support for their proposed millennial activity or event. In addition, community grants of between £500 and £5,000 will be available for small-scale local community activities and events.

Timetable

The Millennium Festival grants programme timetable is as follows:

Large grants		Community grants
Invitation to apply	May 98	Invitation to apply	January 99
Deadline for applications	August 98	Deadline for applications	March 99
Final decision	December 98	Final decision	June 99

To register for guidance notes and a grant application pack, please telephone the Millennium Festival Hotline on 0870 600 2000.

There is a University of Cambridge Millennium Committee co-ordinating University projects. If your Department or College is planning an event, please inform Dr Y. B. Garrod at the University Registry, The Old Schools (tel. 332306, e-mail ybg1000@admin.cam.ac.uk).

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