£6million Assist programme launched

The Big Lottery Fund and NCVO have launched the £6million BIG Assist programme to support infrastructure bodies, which will encourage organisations to rate and review the support they receive, Tripadvisor-style.

The three-year programme aims to support 1,050 infrastructure organisations by providing direct, peer-to-peer and digital support to enable them to adapt to changing circumstances.

Infrastructure bodies can apply to receive BIG Assist vouchers, ranging in value from £2,000 to £7,000, which they can take to an online marketplace and use with listed suppliers, who may come either from civil society or the private sector. It’s estimated that up to 1,400 organisations will be eligible from when the programme goes live on 5 November.  

In addition to being able to spend vouchers in the BIG Assist online marketplace, and review the providers, organisations will also be able to spend their money with providers through that same marketplace, with providers with low ratings will be removed from the site.

For further information on the Assist programme visit www.bigassist.org.uk.