A programme for children and young people in
Northern Ireland aged 0-25  


The Big Deal is a new £4 million programme funded through the Big Lottery Fund under its Northern Ireland Young People’s Fund programme. The Big Deal brings together many of the key stakeholders involved in the development, delivery and management of children and youth services in Northern Ireland:

YouthNet (lead partner); PlayBoard, the Northern Ireland Youth Forum and the Education & Library Board(delivery partners); Youth Council for Northern Ireland(strategy and co-ordination partner).

The aim of The Big Deal is to encourage children and young people to become involved in participatory activities which enhance their personal and social development and to have the skills, knowledge and opportunities to make informed choices about their lives and demonstrate their positive contribution to family and community life.

The Big Difference

One of the big differences between The Big Deal and other programmes is that we will ensure that children and young people are fully supported and involved in its decision-making - with a real say in how the work is carried out. There are two main ways for children and young people to contribute to the running of The Big Deal.
• As steering committee members who will join with current adult members of The Big Deal Steering Committee in developing and overseeing its future direction as well as contributing to other initiatives in the children’s & youth sector.
• As award panel members who will make decisions on funding applications for small grants of between £500 - £2,500 from individuals and groups of children & young people.

To find out more
• email: cypf@thebigdealni.com
• phone: (028) 9033 1990
• visit: www.thebigdealni.com

Small Grants programme

The aim of the small grants programme is to further increase the participation of children & young people as well as:
• improve their health and well being; and/or
• increase their achievements and learning;
• and where possible, enhance wider family and community support for them.

Individuals or informal groups of children and young people aged 0 to 25 (a group applying should be made up of no less than 3 people) can apply. An informal group can be a friendship group or a group who share a common interest. They can also be members of a club or centre but we cannot fund the club or centre they belong to.
An individual can apply for a grant of £500 and an informal group can apply for a grant of between £500 and £2,500.
The Small Grants programme has £1 million to support projects across Northern Ireland.

For more information and an application form:
www.thebigdealni.com
• email: info@thebigdealni.com
• phone: (028) 9033 1880
• fax: (028) 9033 1977