As of January 2013, applications will be open for the £165m Fulfilling Lives: a Better Start initiative.
The Big Lottery Fund has invested the money, which is available to improve the lives of vulnerable people under three years old in England.
To apply, an authority must select an area with a population of approximately 50000 people where there is evidence of deprivation and high levels of need among children.
It then needs to identify a voluntary sector organisation with the potential to lead a partnership within the area across health agencies, the local authority and the community to strengthen prevention in early life.
The Big Lottery Fund will invite those that have submitted the best expressions of interest to apply for funding.
Then, in summer 2013, it will select up to 15 areas and offer development grants and support to help them prepare for making changes locally.
It will then select three to five areas for the final awards by March 2014.
Nat Sloane, the Big Lottery Fund England chair, said: ‘Costly social problems can be traced back to some children not having a good start in life.
‘A Better Start will aim to stop harm to a child before it happens by providing the right support in those crucial years between birth and the age of three.
‘Helping parents give their children the best possible start in life will mean less costly spending treating entrenched problems later on.’
For more information and details on how to apply for funding, please click
here.
