Apologies for cross-posting


Colleagues will be pleased to hear that today the New Opportunities
Fund
(NOF) has launched a major UKP200 million programme to bridge the
information age divide by bringing learning through information and
communications technologies (ICT) within the grasp of communities
across
the UK. The following is taken from the information that NOF will be
posting to cultural and learning organisations over the next few days:

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The New Opportunities Fund's CALL programme will help close the gap
between the computer haves and the have nots. It will enable many more
adults to access ICT learning opportunities. Baroness Pitkeathley,
Chair of the New Opportunities Fund said:

"Learning is the key to our social and economic prosperity and yet
almost three-quarters of the low income adult population do not have
access to a computer or to the internet. As more services and resources
come rapidly online, it is particularly important that people in
disadvantaged communities are able to tap into the new information age.

"We intend that this programme will bring these technologies and
resources into the heart of our communities in a relevant and
user-friendly way so that people can explore their potential and begin
a learning journey which will enrich their lives."

Over the next three years, the New Opportunities Fund will allocate
National Lottery funds through the CALL programme's three strands.

1. Half the CALL programme funding - UKP100 million - will go towards
supporting the People's Network which will link up every public library
to the internet, community websites and the National Grid for Learning.

2. The programme will support the development and running of a
nationwide network of ICT learning centres with online computer access
to information and community resources. This will include supporting
outreach and promotion of the centres to ensure that they are used by
the whole community, particularly those who are disadvantaged. This
part of the CALL programme complements a new initiative by the
Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) in England, where 700
innovative new ICT Learning Centres are to be created in disadvantaged
areas. The DfEE is today announcing UKP252 million in funding to
establish these new centres which could be set up in locations as
diverse as community centres and football clubs. Anyone wanting
further information on the DfEE programme and a joint application form
to apply for both capital and revenue funding should contact the DfEE -
Tel: 0114 259 4879 / http://www.dfee.gov.uk/ict-learning-centres/

3. Another strand of the CALL programme will fund Community Grids for
Learning - websites and services providing community-based content for
adult learners relating to their locality or area of interest.

Library authorities can apply for funding through any of these three
strands, and only library authorities can apply for the People's
Network strand funding. (Library authorities will be contacted in the
Spring by NOF to be given further details of the People's Network
strand funding).

ENGLAND ENQUIRIES LINE: 0845 0000 121
N. IRELAND ENQUIRIES LINE: 0845 0000 124
SCOTLAND ENQUIRIES LINE: 0845 0000 123
WALES ENQUIRIES LINE: 0845 0000 122

Further details and application forms will be available online in the
near
future from http://www.nof.org.uk/

NOTES

The New Opportunities Fund distributes National Lottery money to
health, education and environment projects across the UK. We intend to
support sustainable projects that will:

* Improve the quality of life of people throughout the UK
* Address the needs of those who are most disadvantaged in society
* Encourage community participation
* Complement relevant local and national strategies and programmes.

1. Funding for the CALL programme is divided between England, Scotland,
Northern Ireland and Wales according to population weighted to reflect
levels of deprivation: England UKP155 million; Scotland UKP23 million;
Wales UKP13 million; Northern Ireland UKP9 million.

2. The Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) ICT Learning
Centres initiative will fund infrastructure and capital costs.


----------------------
Chris Webster
EARL: The Consortium for Public Library Networking

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