Channel 4 and the Big Lottery Fund today launch a new TV project asking the British public how to spend £10m of Lottery money.

The results will help BIG to find five inspirational projects across the UK, each to receive a multi-million Big Lottery Fund cash injection as part of its Millennium Now grant programme.

From today, Channel 4 will be assisting the Big Lottery Fund in capturing public opinion via a microsite and commissioning an Ipsos-Mori Poll.

The entire process, from the canvassing of public opinion through to the distribution of that money will be followed for a five-part series on Channel 4 called The Big Decision. 

Channel 4 chief creative officer Jay Hunt said: “For the first time people will be able to influence which aspect of community life in the UK could benefit best from this huge sum of Lottery money. This series will provide a fascinating insight into what people care about most passionately and provide the opportunity to make real changes for the better.”

The Millennium Now programme builds on the findings of the Millennium Now report launched in May 2011 to mark the legacy of the Millennium projects ten years on. It will aim to fund inspirational projects reflecting the five Millennium themes:

• Encouraging environmental sustainability
• Investing in education
• Places - tackling issues related to rural areas, urban or coastal areas
• Connecting communities
• Promoting science, technology and health
 
To coincide with the launch of the debate, Channel 4’s religion and ethics strand, 4thought.tv will be broadcasting a week of films on the theme: ‘When it comes to charity, who should we decide to give our money to?’ The films will air each night after Channel 4 News from 10 October.