Big Local

What is Big Local?

Big Local is a long term innovative programme that will achieve lasting change in 150 areas in England. It will provide a mixture of funding, finance and support. This will enable people who live in the areas to build on local talents and aspirations and identify and act on their own needs to make their areas even better places to live, now and in the future. Local communities will drive Big Local in their area. The programme will support, challenge, train and encourage people to develop and drive Big Local in their area. There will be a unique programme of activity in each area based on local needs but sharing the Big Local programme outcomes. Big Local will support communities to identify issues and plan and develop solutions. This will provide a sustainable approach to long-term issues and ultimately create even better places to live. Big Local aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• communities will be better able to identify local needs and take action in response to them
• people will have increased skills and confidence so that they can continue to identify and respond to local needs in the future
• the community will make a difference to the needs it prioritises
• people will feel that their area is an even better place to live.

For more information on how Big Local will work see the Big Local Overview presentation, programme overview document and FAQ pages. For up to date information on the programmes’ progress read our latest newsletter. If you are a Big Local area you can find information and programme guidance here.

How much money is available and how can local areas use it?

At least £1m is available to each area. The money will be held by a charitable trust that the Big Lottery Fund will endow with £200m. The trust will be managed by a new independent organisation being set up by a CDF-led partnership. Local areas can use the funds over ten years to provide a mixture of funding, such as grants, social investments, loans, microfinance and support. This means that some of the money distributed in each area can come back to Big Local and be reused in the local area again.