The National Lottery, through its operator Allwyn, has introduced the ChangeMakers Fund, an initiative designed to empower Great Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes to spearhead social impact projects in their local communities. With an allocation of ￡100,000, this fund supports athletes in developing and implementing initiatives that resonate with their personal passions and community needs. This initiative is a part of the broader ChangeMakers programme, a collaborative effort between Allwyn, UK Sport, Team GB, and ParalympicsGB, aimed at promoting grassroots sports, sustainability, mental and physical well-being, inclusivity, and other causes with strong social relevance.
The ChangeMakers Fund enables athletes who have recently showcased their talents in Paris, and those who participated in ChangeMakers Week, to extend their influence beyond the realm of sports. Through this fund, they can now channel their dedication and public influence into tangible social impact projects within their communities.
Athletes have two funding options available: the ‘Try It’ fund and the ‘Scale It’ fund. The ‘Try It’ fund is designed for athletes who have fresh, innovative ideas for social impact but need to test their viability. In contrast, the ‘Scale It’ fund is for those who already have established initiatives but require additional resources to expand their reach. This two-tiered approach ensures that both emerging and existing projects receive the appropriate support to succeed.
Allwyn supporting athletes to drive social impact
Allwyn, alongside UK Sport, Team GB, and ParalympicsGB, recognises the deep commitment these athletes have to giving back to their communities. The ChangeMakers Fund is structured to support causes that are meaningful to the athletes, whether that means enhancing health and well-being, advancing equality and inclusion, or promoting environmental sustainability.
Andria Vidler, CEO of Allwyn, (pictured above) spoke about the importance of the fund, stating, “After an incredible Olympic Games, and with the Paralympics still to come, we are excited to open our ChangeMakers Fund. By tapping into these athletes’ passions and their power to inspire, we hope this funding will help them drive positive change in their communities and build on the amazing legacy of Paris 2024.”
Sally Munday, CEO of UK Sport, also highlighted the broader societal impact of the National Lottery, which raises an average of ￡30 million weekly for various projects across the UK. She said that the ￡1 million annual Allwyn Social Value Fund is specifically designed to support and enhance these community-driven initiatives, ensuring that the positive social impact of the National Lottery continues to expand.
Allwyn, known for its innovative approach to gaming and its commitment to social impact, said in a statement that the ChangeMakers Fund, represents a crucial initiative to support athletes to drive community development and social change.
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