The Big Deal Small Grants Programme is administered by Youthnet and funded by the Big Lottery Fund to the tune of £1 million. Through the programme children and young people up to 25 years of age can apply for an award of between £500 and £2,500 to run a project where they get to plan and decide what it is they want to do when, where and how.

Over the past year just over 140 projects received funding from The Big Deal lottery cash. They included a group of five young people aged between 16 and 18 from the Glebeside housing estate in Ballymoney.

They called themselves "Express Yourself" and they brought together a group of eighteen other young people to stage a production of the famous "Footloose" show based on the 1980's screen sensation and featuring some of the classic hits such as "Holding Out for a Hero". As well as providing enjoyment the project helped build the confidence of the group members who performed two scenes from the show as the finale of The Big Deal Celebration event in Belfast last week.

One of the young people from Express Yourself, 19 yr old Samantha Hickinson said: "The project went really well. We had help from professional dance coaches and directors that really improved our stage act. This project gave us something to do rather than just sitting about doing nothing. It gave us a great opportunity to do something as a group", she added.

Minister for Education, Caitríona Ruane, who was the principal guest at the celebration event to mark the first year of grant giving through The Big Deal said, "Having worked in the community sector I have seen first hand the difference small grants can make to local people. The fact that this programme gives young people the responsibility for decision making on funding empowers them to make a difference to their lives and the community as a whole. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in The Big Deal, its Children and Young Peoples Forum and of course those taking part in the projects themselves, Maith Sibh"
Rosemary Trainor, 24, one of The Big Deal Children and Young People's Forum grant panel members continued: "The best thing about The Big Deal projects is that young people show the initiative, interest and enthusiasm to plan their own project and apply for the money to carry it out. This is a new way of young people getting money from the Big Lottery Fund and it's an exciting way for young people to have responsibility and make good use of it."

The Big Deal Programme Manager, Joe Hawkins, said, "On the face of it £500 to £2,500 doesn't sound like a huge amount of money but we know from previous experience that small grants like these going to directly to young people will make a big difference. The big bonus is that once children and young people become engaged in activities like these they tend to stay interested and get involved more in what's going on around them in their local communities and beyond.

"There's been a good response to the programme from most of Northern Ireland but we want to ensure that young people from all areas get the opportunity to apply for financial support to put their ideas into operation. The programme will be available to individuals and groups of children and young people over the next two years and we hope that this announcement will let them see that it is open to all regardless of location, background or ability."

Paul Cavanagh, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund's Young People's Fund Committee added: "The Young People's Fund is a great way for young people to have their opinions heard and to influence what activities are funded in their area. These grants allow young people to become more actively involved in their community and I am looking forward to hearing how the young people will make this Lottery money work for their benefit."