Launch of £20m grant package

And they are inviting local people to attend an information session in Lurgan to learn more about it.

The largest of the National Lottery Good Cause Distributors has launched Empowering Young People which aims to invest up to 20 million to support young people most at risk in Northern Ireland.

Big Lottery Fund’s new Northern Ireland Director, Joanne McDowell, and staff from the organisation will be holding an information session focusing on the Empowering Young People programme in Mount Zion House, at 56 Edward Street in Lurgan, on Thursday, September 16, from 2pm to 4pm.

The session will give local people, community groups and organisations a chance to find out about the programme and how they can apply.

Joanne explained that the Empowering Young People programme will make a lasting difference to the lives of the most vulnerable young people in society in a challenging time of recession.

“These are tough times for the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland and the recession is hitting hard,” said Joanne. “The Big Lottery Fund is very aware of the difficulties people are facing and we know that the most vulnerable people in society are often the worst affected by cuts.”

“The Empowering Young People programme will invest up to 20 million in communities across Northern Ireland to transform the lives of some of our most disadvantaged young people.”

She continued: “I am delighted that we are coming along to Mount Zion House in Lurgan on September 16 to hold an information session focusing on the Empowering Young People programme that will give local people and community organisations information and guidance about the programme so they can apply for funding.”

Empowering Young People is a 20 million programme to support some of Northern Ireland’s most vulnerable young people including those who have been in care, involved in crime or disengaged from education.

Grants of up to 500,000 will be available for projects that will help this group of young people transform their lives through activities such as training and employment schemes, one-to-one crisis support, mentoring programmes and street outreach work.