National Lottery money will be available for young people to develop their sporting and artistic talents, Virginia Bottomley, the National Heritage Secretary, announced this week.
Details will be worked out with the arts and sports councils by the end of February and the plans could be implemented by April.
The councils welcomed the announcement because so far money has only been available for capital projects, not for revenue or individuals.
Mrs Bottomley said lottery cash would also fund new initiatives that would increase access to sport and the arts; support major sporting events; help building preservation trusts and ensure that arts groups gained financial stability.