National Lottery cash set to strengthen third sector in Wales

8 Sep 2017 12:37 PM

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

£705,807 is being awarded for two projects in Wales as part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Third Sector Skills programme.

The programme aims to pilot innovative approaches to bringing new skills and expertise to organisations in the third sector through mentoring and trustee recruitment, and to empower them to become better equipped to plan for the future and overcome a difficult economic environment.

Ethnic Youth Support Team (EYST) receive £390,425 to will bring new skills to the black, minority-ethnic (BME) third sector in Swansea, Cardiff and Wrexham by engaging BME professionals working in the public and private sectors, and BME students or graduates. Individuals will be matched to small BME groups and will work with them, using their skills and expertise to improve their governance, communications, fundraising, confidence and overall efficacy. The grant, over three years, will fund salaries, project running costs and equipment.

Rocio Cifuentes, EYST Wales’ Director said “Community groups need more than consultation and engagement, they need practical support and skills to help them increase their efficacy and their governance. We know there are many people in the public, private and academic sector who have the skills and inclination to help meet this need, and this project offers a clear route to support this. The partnership with SCVS, C3SC and AVOW enables community groups to benefit from the wealth of capacity building expertise these County Voluntary Councils already hold, while offering a targeted and accessible resource for them to access.

Swansea Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS) receive £315,382 to develop skills and strengthen governance within the third sector in Swansea, Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot through a trustee and mentor matching service and through trustee recruitment. Over three years, 150 mentors and new trustees will be identified and recruited and 120 third sector organisations will benefit from engagement in the project’s activities. This grant, over three years, will fund salaries, project delivery costs and overheads.

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.”

Further Information:

Alexander Davies - Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 029 2067 8236
Public Enquiries Line: 0845 4 10 20 30   |   Textphone: 18001+0300 123 0735
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available at:www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
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