The BFI National Lottery Skills Fund will deliver targeted training interventions to support freelancers and SMEs in the screen sector. Through separate programmes, the fund will support organisations to deliver interventions designed to open up access to training, professional development and provide support in professionalising the workplace.
The BFI’s National Lottery Funding Plan 2023-2026 allocates £5.65m of National Lottery funding over three years to the Skills Fund.
Good Work Programme for Screen
The BFI has allocated £1,500,000 of National Lottery funds across two years to a Good Work Programme for Screen.
This programme will support a strategic and practical drive to address long-reported poor working practices across the industry. Providing targeted advice, training and support – largely for SMEs, industry leaders and heads of departments (HoDs) – the Good Work Programme for Screen seeks to build capacity and knowledge to create fairer, more inclusive and positive workplaces.
This directly supports the BFI’s vision to transform access to our programmes, screen culture and jobs across the whole of the UK, and more specifically the recommendation within our 2022 Skills Review to see a more formalised approach to hiring, workplace management, and professional development.
Applications for organisations interested in delivering this programme for the sector are now closed.
Skills Bursaries
BFI has delegated up to £500,000 per year to ScreenSkills to administer a Skills Bursary Fund. By providing financial support to new entrants and those already working behind the camera in the screen industry, the fund removes obstacles to employment, improves access to support for those from less privileged backgrounds, and delivers support UK-wide to those seeking to enter or progress in careers in the screen industry.
Business Development Training
BFI has awarded up to £720,000 per year to Creative UK to deliver a Business Development training programme for the screen sector in England. Business Development training will support the growth and development of screen sector businesses across the UK, from foundational training for new businesses, through to bespoke support for those readying for growth. Businesses will overcome barriers to growth through improved commercial skills, better access to finance and new connections to networks and support. BFI is currently seeking applications from organisations interested in delivering a similar programme across the rest of the UK.
About BFI National Lottery funding
Since the very first National Lottery draw in 1994, public support – raised directly through National Lottery ticket sales – has funded more than 670,000 projects, raising more than £46 billion for good causes.
As a recipient, it is important to publicly acknowledge the source of this funding throughout the lifespan of the project. Effectively communicating it is supported by BFI National Lottery funding ensures those engaging with the work recognise the value and benefit of this unique Good Cause funding.
Therefore, if your application is successful, you will be responsible for prominently crediting BFI National Lottery funding and thanking National Lottery players.
As such, you are encouraged to ensure that elements of your project/s which have the potential to engage a broad public audience are capitalised in order to communicate this message.