Youth Opportunity Fund and Youth Capital Fund
The application process for 2009/10 is now closed.
The Youth Opportunity Fund and Youth Capital Fund (YOF/YCF) was initially a two year pilot project from 2006-2008. Due to its success across the country the Department for Children, Schools and Families extended the scheme a further three years (2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11).
Each year £332,400 is awarded to Brent. Young people aged 14 - 19 (up to 25 with special education needs) living in Brent can apply for projects that will improve the activities and facilities available to young people across the Borough.
The main aims of the fund are to:
- influence and give a voice to young people, particularly those facing disadvantage, in relation to things to do and places to go, and convey a powerful message to young people that their needs and aspirations are important
- change the way local authorities and their partners commission and provide activities and facilities for young people, especially in deprived neighbourhoods, and increase the responsiveness of providers to what young people want
- improve things to do and places to go in line with what young people want in their neighbourhoods and thereby increase their participation in positive activities
- provide opportunities for young people to develop their confidence, knowledge, skills and abilities and gain recognition/accreditation for them
- increase the wellbeing of young people by contributing to the achievement of the five Every Child Matters (ECM) outcomes through engagement in activities that have a positive impact on their development
- increase young people's engagement with their services more generally and with democratic processes at the local level.
(Department for Children, Schools and Families, April 2008, Youth Opportunity Fund and Youth Capital Fund Delivery Guidance)
The Grant Makers are a group of young people (part of Brent Youth Matters 2) supported by the Brent Youth Service, who have been trained by Youth Bank UK.
As Grant Makers, young people are put in the driving seat as decision makers for the fund and are responsible for ensuring over £300,000 a year is spent on projects that young people in Brent want.
They decide upon the criteria (incorporating the criteria set out from our funders), design the application form, shortlist applicants, interview shortlisted applicants and monitor projects throughout the year.
The Grant Makers are a committed group that meet weekly to carry out their responsibilities.
In 2008/09 they shortlisted over 120 application forms from young people in Brent and interviewed potential applicants, all in their own time, awarding several groups for funding (.pdf, 62Kb).
Groups funded in 2009/10 provide project updates at the Brent Youth Matters 2 forums.
Please contact Nisha Thakershi on: 0208 937 3761/3680 if you have any queries.