A £1 million fund has been set up to help business support organisations access learning and development.

Phoenix Bursaries, which start this month, contribute up to 75 per cent of costs towards developing individual staff members' skills or the professionalism and capabilities of the organisation as a whole.

They are aimed at organisations that deliver business support to disadvantaged communities or under-represented groups. The bursaries available are up to £10,000 for an organisation and £3,000 for an individual.

Applications will be judged on merit and on a first come, first served basis, and applicants are encouraged to include a mix of activities such as:
• Contributions to the cost of course fees;
• Books, videos, software packages and other learning materials contributing to an individual's development;
• Attachments, secondments or visits to other organisations and help towards transport costs
• Attendance at conferences and seminars;
• Care costs to make any of the above possible.

Bursaries will be available from 1 April 2004 until 31 March 2006, although the fund may be closed earlier if demand is higher than anticipated.