Where now for NOF?

At a seminar held on Monday 10 March 2003, WalterRader gave an overview of the past and current work of New Opportunities Fund (NOF) to some of the key people in the community and voluntary sector as well as stimulating the appetite for how we can shape the future direction of the Fund.

In its White Paper, The People's Lottery, and in the National Lottery Act 1998, the Government made it clear that it wished to refocus Lottery funding on the needs and concerns of local communities, to increase access to funding and to ensure more equitable distribution. The creation of the New Opportunities Fund sought to reflect these priorities.

Since its launch, NOF has allocated £44.56m through 383 grants in Northern Ireland. This figure will rise to £135m by the end of the current third round of programmes. As delivery is now underway in Northern Ireland for all of NOF’s round three programmes (with the exception of Fair Share which is due soon), Mr Rader was keen for the sector to represent its needs and ambitions through the devolved government for the structure, content and delivery of the fourth round of NOF funding.

At the briefing seminar with NICVA, Mr Rader candidly spelt out the position of New Opportunities Fund and highlighted the main successes since its launch in 1998. He explained that New Opportunities Fund, as a non-departmental government body, receives its policy directions from government. He was enthusiastic about the opportunities now available through devolution.

He exemplified how in Scotland, thanks to lobbying and direction from the Scottish Assembly, NOF were able to deliver a unique programme in Scotland called “Better Off ”. The £10 million “Better Off” programme will develop new kinds of community rehabilitation for people who misuse or have misused drugs in Scotland. Undoubtedly Northern Ireland would be “better off” if it where in a position to shape local priorities for the Fund and not simply accept what is given.

The question is, where now for NOF? For those who know the answer and can recommend and substantiate programme areas under the themes of Health, Education and the Environment, now is the time to lobby your MLA and/or represent your needs to the Lottery Unit at the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL). NICVA will be representing what it sees to be the best interests of the sector in the debate. Now is the time to contribute to that discussion.

The timetable for this process is uncertain given the current political uncertainty both at Stormont and Westminster. Whenever the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS ), in consultation with DCAL for Northern Ireland, sets its priorities for the Fund it will consult on the content. This will then be presented to Parliament. NOF will then receive its policy directions and consult on delivery. We are at the very beginning of this process. NICVA will be producing a generic issues paper which will be available soon.

For more information:

www.nof.org.uk

www.dcalni.gov.uk

Or contact Neil Irwin at NICVA neil.irwin@nicva.org or 028 9087 7777