Explanatory note

By this Order, the Secretary of State authorises the Awards for All (England) joint scheme as modified. The scheme provides for the distribution of National Lottery funds attributable to the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Community Fund, the New Opportunities Fund, Sport England and the Arts Council of England. The scheme is contained in the agreement which was entered into on 6^th March 2002 by those bodies (and which was authorised by the Awards for All (England) Joint Scheme (Authorisation) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/638)) and as modified by the agreement entered into by the same bodies on 3rd March 2003.

A brief description of the nature and purpose of the scheme, and other details about it, may be found in the Schedule to this Order. The scheme provides for the making of grants to local community groups of between £500 and £5,000. The purposes of the scheme are to encourage more people to become involved in local groups and projects by supporting activities which are open and accessible to everyone who wishes to take part; to encourage the development of skills and creativity by supporting activities which are likely to develop the skills and creativity of those taking part; and to improve people’s quality of life by improving their opportunities, welfare or environment, especially those of persons who are the most disadvantaged in society. Further information about the scheme is available from Awards for All: England, 1^st Floor, Reynard House, 37 Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 7GA, or from the Awards for All website (www.awardsforall.org.uk).