Canadian Government
01/01/2008
The overarching strategy for increasing physical activity in Canada is the integrated pan-Canadian Healthy Living Strategy which is aimed at promoting health and preventing disease and injury.
Phase 1 of the strategy focuses on physical activity, healthy eating and their relationship to healthy weights.
The strategy provides funding based on an open call for proposals for projects which involve collaboration between governments, non-government organisations, other agencies and the voluntary sector to reduce barriers and increase access to convenient, safe, affordable, and innovative opportunities to integrate physical activity into daily living. The only stipulation for funding requires that projects are of a national scope, they link to the strategic directions of the Healthy Living Strategy, they involve partnerships, and have physical activity as a central component.
Mentro Allan is a Big Lottery Fund programme managed by a national partnership comprising CCW, NPHS, Sports Council (lead organisation), WCVA and WLGA. The programme is designed to encourage increased physical activity among 'hard-to reach' groups, such as young people, black and minority ethnic people, disabled people and low-income people, by using the natural environment. The Big Lottery fund is providing £6.5 million funding for 15 projects across Wales between 2006 and 2010.
The National Partnership was a requirement of the Big Lottery Fund to manage the approach to the Mentro Allan Programme, to provide leadership, determine the selection criteria for the local projects, provide the strategic steer and expert advice to support all the schemes across Wales. The National Partnership will also provide support for local partnerships in designing and developing local projects to meet the required criteria for funding and identify and share best practice across Wales. The arrangements for the partnership are cemented by a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between all the partners. The MoA relates to the bid to the Big Lottery Fund for becoming the national partnership and the subsequent management of the programme. The MoA sets out the roles and responsibilities of the partnership, the composition and role of the Board, publicity issues, the role of the Lead Partner and the principles for partnership working.