The People's Millions

What is it? The People’s Millions is a partnership between the Big Lottery Fund and ITV. Local organisations compete for funding, with their project proposals being showcased on the television programme of the same name. Viewers then vote for the ones they want to win. The fund has made a total of 523 awards worth more than £27.8m since 2005.

How much is available? This year the Big Lottery Fund will be making grants worth a total of £3.8m. This will be divided among four projects in each of the 19 ITV regional news areas. Anywhere between £20,000 and £50,000 of funding will be available for each project.

What will it fund? Applications are invited from new projects that will improve local places and the lives of people in those communities.

Applicants will need to demonstrate that there is “active local interest and support” for the project. Many organisations that work with children and young people fit the criteria for funding, with applications invited from voluntary and community organisations, schools, local authorities and health bodies among others.

Applications from branches of organisations or partnerships will also be considered. The funding can cover the entirety of a project’s costs, or can be put towards the cost of a larger project. For voluntary and community organisations, the fund will also contribute towards the organisation’s overheads. The money cannot be used to pay for existing work or new buildings.