In 2002, The PROSPECTS Foundation was awarded £258,000 from the National Lottery's Community Fund (now the Big Lottery Fund) in order to implement a 3 year Development Programme starting in 2003.

The aims of the programme were:-

• To increase awareness and understanding of sustainability issues and encourage local people to get involved in projects and activities relevant to environmental sustainability;

• To involve under-represented groups in PROSPECTS activities;

• To support community development activities and create links between local organisations and the PROSPECTS Panels.

• To support the PROSPECTS Panels to carry out a series of community appraisals and develop new projects.

In order to achieve all these aims a variety of activities were carried out:

• We worked with the PROSPECTS Panels to carry out a Community Appraisal and Action Plan in each local area and develop new projects;

• We developed links with other local groups to identify ways of involving under-represented groups;

• We offered training to Panel members and the Foundation's Management Committee; and

• We promoted and publicised Panel and Foundation activitities whilst also raising awareness of the PROSPECTS movement and of sustainability issues.

The appraisals were a community consultation and action planning exercise based around quality of life issues. As a result of the appraisal work more people became aware of PROSPECTS’ local activities. On a practical level at least two local environmental projects resulting from the consultation were developed by each Panel.
It is hoped that the community owned Action Plans and projects arising from the appraisals will encourage more individuals to play an active part in developing projects to improve the quality of life in their local area.
Community Appraisals and Action Plans were completed for the Panel areas of Baxenden, Church, Clayton-le-Moors, Great Harwood, Huncoat, Oswaldtwistle and Rishton.