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Projects in Wales that will strengthen third sector capabilities are the latest being awarded National Lottery money.

Sported Foundation, receive £300,228 to work with 120 grassroots groups who deliver sport to enhance the lives of disadvantaged young people. They will provide intensive mentor support to group leaders and volunteers, enabling them to improve elements of their organisational health including governance, financial management, fundraising and volunteer recruitment and retention.

They are one of 3 projects across Wales sharing in £588,776 as part of the first round of its Third Sector Skills funding programme.

The programme is aiming to pilot innovative approaches to bringing new skills and expertise to organisations in the third sector through mentoring and trustee recruitment.

Welcoming the grant, Richard Thomas, Wales Manager at Sported, said: “At Sported we are dedicated to supporting community groups which use the power of sport to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people.

“Thanks to the Big Lottery Fund we will be able to strengthen and build the sustainability of even more community groups across Wales and - most importantly - create more life-changing opportunities for young people in our most deprived communities.”

Wales Co-operative Development and Training Centre Limited receive £135,552 to work in partnership with CAST, WCVA and BITC, the organisation will strengthen the governance and build sustainable business and financial models within third sector organisations across South East Wales. Through a digital agile development process, new skills and expertise will be brought to the third sector by connecting them with potential mentors and trustees from within the private sector.

Derek Walker, Chief Executive of the Wales Co-operative Centre, said: “There is tremendous potential to make better use of digital technology to achieve social good. Digital technology has already transformed many industries and will do the same in the charity sector. At the Wales Co-operative Centre we have already led a number of digital projects. We are pleased to be able to take forward another one thanks to money from the Big Lottery Fund and in partnership with WCVA, Business in the Community and CAST.”

In Powys, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) will develop skills within the third sector in Powys through a trustee and mentor matching service and by developing online platforms which will enable trustees to access support and information. 

Welcoming the grant, Michele Muireasgha, Head of Third Sector Development at PAVO said: “Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations is really thrilled to have been awarded a grant from the Third Sector Skills programme, it will enable us to provide a trustee and mentoring matching service, working closely with businesses, Powys County Council, other statutory agencies and people in the community to support good governance in voluntary organisations across Powys.

“Good Governance is essential, nearly all of the challenges encountered by charities have their roots in governance issues. Trustees have an important job to do, from deciding on plans for the future, putting these into action to managing their finances and organisations well, times are hard in the sector but groups do a wonderful job in Powys. This project aims to provide the support that sector has asked PAVO for.”

Highlighting the importance of the Third Sector Skills programme, Andrew Owen, Head of Funding for the Big Lottery Fund, said: “Programmes like Third Sector Skills are making a difference to the lives of so many people in communities across Wales.

“It means that new skills can be brought to organisations that will help them flourish and take advantage of opportunities that are available to them.”

The Third Sector Skills programme awards grants of between £10,000 and £500,000 to empower third sector organisations to become better equipped to plan for the future and overcome a difficult economic environment. For further information about the programme and how you can apply for funding visit https://bigblogwales.org.uk/2016/05/06/developing-third-sector-skills/

Further Information:

Alexander Davies - Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 029 2067 8236
Public Enquiries Line: 0845 4 10 20 30                          
Textphone: 0845 6021 659
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Follow Big Lottery Fund Wales on Twitter: www.twitter.com/biglotterywales
Find Big Lottery Fund Wales on Facebook: www.facebook.com/biglotteryfundwales

• The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK. We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.
• Since June 2004 we have awarded over £6.5 billion to projects that make a difference to people and communities in need, from early years intervention to commemorative travel funding for World War Two veterans.
• Since the National Lottery began in 1994, £34 billion has been raised and more than 500,000 grants awarded.