The Budget may be the engine that turns the wheels of Government - but it also proves vital for the survival for many smaller, yet still important, organisations on the Island.

Among Finance Minister Eugene Cox's Budget for 2002-03 yesterday was almost $151 million earmarked in grants and contributions for a variety of groups and charities that, quite simply, would not be able to survive without them.

The allocation is up by just under $2 million on last year.

Among the proposed payments is $50 million for King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, an increase of $4 million on last year.

And St. Brendan's Hospital is in line to receive more than $22 million, while Bermuda College will be in receipt of more than $15 million worth of grants.

Other big receivers this year will be the Department of Education, which will receive more than $19 million in grants and contributions to help provide teacher training awards, Government scholarships and financial assistance for aided schools.

The umbrella of Sports Development will receive a total of $690,000, while the National Stadium Trustees may be in receipt of $220,000 and Bermuda Yachting Association could be in line to receive $75,000, which is the same as last year, but up on 2000 by $23,000.

The Women's Resource Centre, Physical Abuse Centre, SPCA, National Drug Commission, and Road Safety Council have all been provided for in this year's budget - albeit to the same amount as last year.

However, others may still be included in the budget, but to a significantly lesser degree than in the past.

The capital grant to the Bermuda Land Development Corporation has been slashed from $6,000 last year to just $1,000 this year, and monies to Commissioner's House have been cut by half. It received $200,000 two years ago for capital spend, and this year is earmarked to receive $100,000.

On the other hand, the Small Business Development Corporation is in for a windfall $21,000 in capital grants as a one off contribution this year.

But there are many, less well known, organisations who are hopeful of receiving a cash boost this year.

Some, people may have heard of, and others, they may have not.

Take, for example, the Caribbean Labour Administration Centre, which received $1,000 last year, and is set to receive the same this coming year.

Or, the International Association of Lighthouse Keepers, of which Bermuda could be contributing $10,000, or the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, which is to receive $50,000.

The sloop foundation was formed to design and build a tall ship for Bermuda to educate young Bermudians about the Island's maritime history and provide them with a sail training vessel.