Links - who else is supporting UK online?

These are links to some of the most important initiatives to be aware of. Each site has its own links to a range of useful resources and information:

UK online is a government drive to ensure that everyone in the UK who wants it will have access to the Internet, and to make the UK one of the world's leading knowledge economies.

The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) site supplies - among many other things - information, advice and news about using ICTs.

The Help is at Hand site - also maintained by Becta, is directed at UK online centre staff and managers.

Making the Net Work is a joint UK-US initiative led by David Wilcox, Drew Mackie and Terry Grunwald. Making The Net Work aims to help those planning to get their organisation or neighbourhood online, or create local technology centres. It is for anyone who wants to use new technologies for community benefit. It also includes tailored advice on how to fill in the DfES's CMF/NOF funding application for UK online centres and advice on how to write a business plan for centres.

Networks Online is a 'network of networks' providing and linking intranets and extranets in the voluntary, public and private sectors. Networks Online is supported and promoted by ruralnet|uk.

If you are a rural voluntary group or organisation, you can sign up for free training in using ruralnet|online (part of the Networks Online group of extranets).

The National Centre for Volunteering offers advice and resources on volunteering.

Local programmes and associated funding (where available) are run through your Learning and Skills Council.

National Grid for Learning provides information on networks linking schools, libraries and communities and how to get funding for a grid.

NIACE - National Organisation for Adult Learning offers news, events, reports, ideas and policy from the leading non-government organisation for adult learning.

Also worth visiting is the Lifelong Learning website - a site for the encouragement, promotion and development of lifelong learning, supported by the Individual Learning Division of the Department for Education and Employment (DfES). The site contains news, reports, conferences, and some funding announcements.

Learndirect is the brand name of the University for Industry (UfI). Visit the Learndirect to find out about Learndirect courses to find where your local centre is, (or how to become one), and sign up for courses. Visit the UfI website for company information.

New Opportunities Fund gives information on one of five strands of the National Lottery programme, and on funding available.

For other relevant Lottery Funds, see the Community Fund and the Fair Share fund.

governmentfunding.org.uk is a Government website that provides information on the grants available to the Voluntary and Community Sector from five Government Departments.

The Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) aims to support the 88 most deprived local authorities. These could be important local networks for UK online centres to work with.

BBC Web Wise Initiative offers a free "Taster session" CDs to use with learners, publicity materials and a national listing for your centre.

DirectSupport also draws on the publications of the TCA (Telework Association).