The Big Stash
Youth opportunity fund and youth capital fund
The government has extended the Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital funding for the next three years - 2008-2011. £133,000 will be available for opportunity bids and £115, 000 for capital bids each year, for the next three years. The format for applications and criteria for the funding still remains the same. The funding aims to provide young people with new activities, each project has to be young people led and supported by an adult. The funds have and will continue to encourage young people to act as decision makers and grant givers.
Any groups (two or more) of young people aged between 13 and 19 supported by an adult can bid in for funds. The group will need to fill out a simple application form, which is submitted to the panel. The panel will consider the bid and measure it against the YOF criteria. Successful groups will be invited to discuss their project with the panel. Groups use a range of methods to present their projects; examples of media are DVDs, power point and portfolios with photos. One group showed the panel around their mobile bus project and discussed changes they wanted to make. Young men who wanted music equipment chose to rap their presentation and young women sang to the panel and then explained why they wanted a recording studio.
Panel meetings dates 2008/09
Closing date for second round of YOF (opportunity) funding applications to be in is 22nd September 2008. The Panel will meet to look at the bids on 8th October 2008.
Closing date for the second round of YCF (capital) applications is 29th August 2008 and the Panel will meet to look at the bids on 17th September 2008. Please note the bid panel have decided to cap (put a limit on) the revenue bids at £10,000 and the capital bids at £20,000.
Some examples of successful bids
Music, karaoke and DJ equipment
- Dance sessions
- Skate equipment
- Residential Trips
- Music and arts festivals
- Sports sessions
- Trips (for example to London)
- Equipment for new buildings
- Media suites
- Staffing costs for projects
- Costs for hiring premises for activities
- Transport for rural areas
- Renovation of a barge
- Promoting international youth work
- Graffiti workshops
Further information
Application forms, notes and YOF criteria can be downloaded from the 'Read more' section on this page.
If you are a young peson (under the age of 20) who would like to become involved in the panel, or if you have any other queries please e-mail the Youth Opportunity Funding Development Worker at: thebigstash@southglos.gov.uk