Youth Opp Fund and Youth Capital Fund

Go to the Middlesbrough Youth Opportunity Fund website

What are the funds?

The Youth Opportunities Fund and the Youth Capital Fund are amounts of money given to local Council's by central Government, to encourage groups of young people to make a difference in their local area and for them to develop skills, confidence and accreditation as a result. It is an opportunity for groups of young people in Middlesbrough between the ages of 13-19 to apply for funding to achieve something important to them. Young people who live in your local area will approve all the grants we give out.                                                                                                 

Government Guidelines

Although young people make the decisions about who will receive grants they must be certain that the project getting the money fits in with the priorities of ‘Every Child Matters'.

Every Child Matters is the name of a big project across England which involves everyone who works with children and young people. The project is all about making sure children and young people can have a good life whoever they are, and no matter what problems they may face. The aim is to make everyone aware of the things children and young people need for them to be healthy, happy, successful and safe. The Government asked children and young people for their views on how they should be treated and helped and were told that they wanted support to:

  • Be healthy
  • Stay safe
  • Enjoy and achieve
  • Make a positive contribution
  • Achieve economic well-being

Young Peoples Priorities

Young People in Middlesbrough were asked what their priorities were. They looked at the Every Child Matters aims and thought about how best money could be spent locally to help them meet these aims. It was decided that the following priorities would be used for giving grants:

  • Transport and Travel Costs
  • Education and Training
  • Safety and Protection
  • Sport, leisure and recreation
  • Personal development
  • Health

All grants must contribute to 1 of these priorities. 

The Youth Opportunities Fund is for revenue projects that are one off projects and can include:

  • Activities
  • Training

The Youth Capital Fund is for capital projects that will help to buy long term fixed assets. An example of what this could include would be 

  • ICT suite
  • Building work

How much money is available?

This year Youth Opportunity Fund has £269,000 which will be allocated in four rounds. Individuals can apply for up to £1000 whilst groups can apply for up to £10,000, though the majority awarded will be for about £5000. Applications will be given to an assessor who will look at the application and make a recommendation to the grants panel. All assessors and panel members are 13-19 years old and they can decide to give all, some or none of the money young people asked for.

Youth Capital Fund is to pay for big projects that will benefit the town. If you are interested in developing a capital project application please contact Sharon Barker on 01642 728427.

 

 Round                    Closing dates                        Grant panel dates

 Round 13               4th September 2009             7th October 2009 & 14th October 2009

 Round 14               4th December 2009              6th January 2010 & 13th January 2010

 Round 15               3rd March 2010                     7th April 2010 & 14th April 2010