Tessa Blackstone, higher education minister, yesterday announced £ million over three years to boost voluntary and community work by higher education students and staff.
She said: "Voluntary work helps to develop employment skills among students and it can also help to enhance the quality of life of disadvantaged sections of the community."
The money - half of which comes from the Treasury - will be channelled through the funding council's Higher Education Reach Out to Business and the Community Fund.