So what are the Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) and the Youth Capital Funds (YCF)?

Every local authority in England has been allocated these funds to give young people power over how the money is spent in their local area.

• The aim of the funds is to involve young people in identifying positive activities and ideas for projects that are needed in their local area- to support them as projects leaders, decision makers and grant givers.
• This money is to increase the number of ’places to go and things to do’ ‘for all young people (13-19yrs) but especially disadvantaged or hard to reach young people.
• Herefordshire was allocated £300,000 over the last 2 years and has now been allocated £450,000 for the next 3 years (starting March 2008).
• The fund is currently managed by a group of young people called the Youth Funding Panel. They meet regularly to assess applications, decide who gets the money and how much they get. They are also involved in managing the whole scheme such as developing guidance and publicity and monitoring projects to make sure the money is benefiting young people and communities etc.

In the last 2 years the Youth Funding Panel have funded over 100 projects and activities across Herefordshire, such as:

• DJ workshops
• Team building activities
• Eco projects
• Healthy eating projects
• Community garden projects
• Dance and music projects
• Sports events
• Film making projects
• Trips away
• New equipment for youth projects- such as pool tables, IT equipment, games canoes, minibuses etc
• ...and much more!

Young people are getting involved and deciding what’s needed...
YOF is making a real difference!

If you’ve got any ideas for something that you feel is really needed for young people in your area - talk to some mates, check out the need, develop your idea and watch out for the next round of publicity for the funding - March onwards.

Keep your eye on this website where new info will appear soon.
Or contact Amy Lunt for a chat about applying:
(01432 383008)/ alunt@herefordshire.gov.uk
It’s really easy to apply!

Or if you like the sound of getting involved with the work of the Youth Funding Panel - and granting out the money etc - give Amy a call also!