The People's Millions 2011, which takes place on UTV Live from June 27-30, will see community groups go head-to-head in a bid to win a Big Lottery Fund award for their good causes.
Each night two groups will make their bid for viewers' support, with the public voting by phone to decide who wins the prize. There are four £60,000 awards up for grabs in Northern Ireland - one award for each night, and a bonus award for the runner up who receives the most phone votes across the week.
This is the seventh year that the Big Lottery Fund and UTV have given the public the chance to choose where the Lottery good cause cash goes in their region. This year groups were asked to develop projects that really capture the public's imagination and inspire local people to make a lasting difference in their area.
The range of community projects come from across Northern Ireland, including Newcastle, Belfast, Ballycastle, Londonderry, Cloughmills and Kilkeel.
Voting numbers will be available on the day the projects are due to appear on UTV with Telephone voting lines opening at 9am on each day and winners announced the following day.
Monday 27 June:
Adventure Activity Area, National Council of YMCA's of Ireland, Newcastle, Co Down
If successful, National Council of YMCA's of Ireland's project will resurface an existing play area at the organisation's Residential Centre in Donard Park, Newcastle, turning the uneven gravel surface into a safe multi-use area where disadvantaged young people and young people with special needs can take part in activities. The project will also create a programme of activities for young people in the area including midnight soccer and laser tagging.
Andersonstown Eco Dream Playground, Holy Child Primary School, west Belfast
If successful, Holy Child Primary School's project will turn drab and uninspiring play areas at the school in Andersonstown, into child-friendly zoned adventure areas that will include an eco-activity area, and two large play frames designed by children and surrounded by trees, shrubs and seating areas. As well as being used by pupils during school hours, the areas will be available to the wider community.
Tuesday 28 June
Garden of Eden, Praxis Care, L/Derry
If successful, Praxis Care's project will carry out improvements to the kitchen and surrounding garden area at Richmond Community Hall, Derry city, which the organisation uses to run education and training courses for people with learning and physical disabilities. The improvements will mean people with disabilities have a safe and accessible venue to take part in activities that improve their skills and self-esteem and help them get involved in community life.
Space to Grow, Greenlight Gateway, Ballycastle, Co Antrim
If successful, Greenlight Gateway's project will turn a derelict space in Ballycastle into a Diamond Jubilee Garden featuring a fresh air fitness outdoor gym, allotments and a growing, cooking and training programme. The project, run in partnership with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, local schools and community groups, will help to improve the health and well-being of people with learning disabilities and mental ill health and the wider community.
Wednesday 29 June
Happy Faces NI, Kilkeel, Co Down
If successful, Happy Faces NI's project will create an 'Over 18's' club at Kilkeel Leisure Centre for people with special needs, giving them the opportunity to take part in a wide range of sporting and social activities. The project will equip a sensory room they use in the leisure centre with sporting, sensory and IT equipment so it can be used by people with special needs and their families.
The Happiness Project - Peas and Love, Cloughmills Community Action Team, Cloughmills, Co Antrim
If successful, Cloughmills Community Action Team's project will turn an existing woodland and derelict space in Cloughmills village into the `Incredible Edible Cloughmills' area where produce will be grown. The project will also run programmes encouraging the local community to come together to look after the environment and produce, eat and sell the food grown, and will involve people with mental ill health, adults with learning disabilities and young people in the area.
Over the last six years the programme has handed out more than £1.4m on to 27 projects across Northern Ireland. Previous winners have been using their awards to make their local communities better places to live.
Frank Hewitt, Big Lottery Fund's NI Chair, said: "The innovative projects up for the public vote this year in Northern Ireland are inspiring communities to tackle a local problem or make a lasting change to the lives of people in their area. We look forward to seeing a hotly contested competition where the public will be able to choose which projects take home these special grants. I encourage everyone to tune into UTV and vote for your favourite project - every vote counts!"
Michael Wilson, Managing Director UTV Television, said: "UTV and the Big Lottery Fund have established a strong working relationship and once again we are delighted to be associated with The People's Millions. Four projects will be awarded up to £60,000 each for their initiative which is a fantastic achievement for all concerned. We look forward to featuring each of the nominees on UTV Live in June 2011."