The Community Fund has launched its new strategic plan for 2002 to 2007, which outlines major changes to the way charities and community groups will be funded.

Grants will be targeted at certain areas and certain priority groups to ensure that the Community Fund makes best use of its resources. It will have less money to distribute than in the past because income from the National Lottery to all distributors has been reducing.

Forum Response: Community Fund

Lady Brittan, chair of the Community Fund, told ePolitix.com: "We've currently got less money but we want to ensure the money we do have works harder. We will also be monitoring how effective it has been.

"We are going to target more of our funds to certain geographical areas throughout the UK, and to certain beneficiary groups. We have consulted widely throughout the four countries and English regions to reach agreement on what these should be.

"Nationally the Community Fund will see its grant income fall from £287 million in 2002/03 to an estimated £215 million from 2004 onwards. This means we will not be able to support as many projects as before. We have had to make some very tough but clear decisions over who to fund."

Forum Response: Royal National Institute for Deaf People

James Strachan, chief executive of the RNID, told ePolitix.com: "I am delighted that the Community Fund has identified disabled people as one of its priority areas for funding.

"For too long disabled people have been last in the queue. There is so much more that can be done by voluntary and community organisations to ensure disabled people can participate fully and lead independent lives."

Forum Response: Age Concern

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, told ePolitix.com: "In an ageing population, when the future will see older people out numbering those under 15, it is both pleasing and reassuring to hear that older people have been named one of the Community Fund's priorities for funding.

"Many older people live on low incomes, in poor housing and in social isolation. This funding will hopefully go someway to ensuring that all older people are given the opportunity to live a full and happy later life."