Two of the lottery funders operating in Wales have launched a new initiative aimed at ensuring disadvantaged areas receive their fair share of lottery funding.

With the backing of the National Assembly, the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund have earmarked just over £8 million which will initially target five local authority areas in Wales.

Forum Response: Community Fund

Jeff Carroll, chair of the Community Fund in Wales, told ePolitix.com "Although our grant programmes are open and accessible to all, some areas have not taken advantage of them owing to a variety of reasons. By applying staffing and financial resources to these areas we hope to ensure a better balance throughout Wales. We look forward to receiving applications from these areas."

Forum Response: New Opportunities Fund

Tom Davies, a member of New Opportunities Fund's committee in Wales, told ePolitix.com: "Over the past few years we have developed effective ways of distributing lottery money to groups. It is now time to look more closely at where the money goes and ensure the long term benefits are enjoyed by people on a Wales wide basis."