National Lottery Good Causes Workshop Gives Local People a Voice on Community Funding

On 9 September 2026, local residents, community organisations and volunteers came together at Gannow Community Centre in Burnley to take part in a National Lottery Good Causes participatory workshop. The event, facilitated by Just Ideas, explored how communities can have a greater say in how National Lottery funding is distributed in the future. 
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The workshop encouraged participants to share their experiences of accessing funding, discuss barriers faced by community groups, and identify what changes could make funding fairer, more accessible and more responsive to local needs.

What Helps Good Things Happen?

Participants highlighted the importance of:

• Open and inclusive community spaces
• Strong local relationships and networks
• Accessible information and advice
• Support for volunteers and grassroots organisations
• Opportunities for people to come together and shape local priorities
• Funding that helps community projects continue and grow

Challenges Identified
Several common barriers were discussed, including:

• Complex application processes and funding criteria
• Difficult or confusing language in funding applications
• Lengthy decision-making times
• Limited accessibility for smaller organisations
• Ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on communities and voluntary groups
• A lack of trust that local voices are always heard in funding decisions

Local Priorities for Future InvestmentWhen asked where funding could make the biggest difference, participants identified six key priorities:

1. Infrastructure to support community projects
2. Community venues and spaces
3. Community grocers and food initiatives
4. Family support services
5. Small local community cafés and meeting spaces
6. Youth clubs and activities for young people

Key Messages​

A strong theme throughout the workshop was the belief that local people know their communities best and should play a greater role in deciding how funding is spent.
Participants called for:

• More trust in communities
• Stronger local support networks
• Simpler funding processes
• Faster decisions
• More community-led approaches
• Funding that reaches grassroots organisations and local priorities

The feedback gathered in Burnley will contribute to a wider national conversation about the future of National Lottery Good Causes funding and how communities can have a greater voice in shaping investment decisions