A new £30million Big Society fund to help modernise organisations that supply critical support to front-line charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises has opened for applications today, Nick Hurd, minister for Civil Society announced.

The Transforming Local Infrastructure Programme is managed by Big Fund, the non-lottery arm of the Big Lottery Fund, which has pledged a further £20million for infrastructure development in the future.

There are over 2,000 infrastructure organisations which provide services from advice to volunteer recruitment to charities in England.

This support is critical particularly for small local charities and voluntary groups.

The funding will help them join up services to avoid duplication and develop more effective online resources

Nick Hurd, minister for Civil Society, said: “We want to see a bigger, stronger society where people feel more responsibility and power to get involved and make a difference.

"This isn't new – there are already loads of people right across Britain helping to make our communities better places to live.

"What is new is the Government's commitment to transfer new powers to communities and make it easier for people to create the change they want to see.

“The £30million Transforming Local Infrastructure Programme will help improve access to high quality advice and support for people who run community groups, charities and social enterprises.

"Infrastructure organisations play a hugely important role behind the scenes. BIG’s commitment to invest a further £20million in local infrastructure is a welcome boost.”

Dharmendra Kanani, England director, Big Lottery Fund, added: “Both BIG and government have a significant track record in national investment that supports frontline voluntary organisations.

"In the past, this has not been joined up, or coordinated, often confusing those accessing support services and creating differing expectations and approaches without great impact.

“Learning from this experience, we are actively collaborating with government, signalling a break from the past, to develop a more intelligent offer based on a commitment to maximise scarce resources available in an environment of dynamic change.

"The BIG Fund administering the Transforming Local Infrastructure Fund on behalf of the Office for Civil Society builds on this commitment.

“Aligned to this BIG wants to invest in an infrastructure to help organisations to learn from each other; to develop a better and shared approach to measuring impact that is credible and relevant to communities and organisations; to improve the connection, skills transfer and value between the private and the voluntary sector; to de-clutter and reduce the duplication of on-line support.

“We are investing £20million to personalise the access to support services. Our aim is to develop greater choice and control of frontline organisations to decide how and when their needs are best met and supported."

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