Youth Council small grants open

YCNI has launched three small grants short term programmes that are looking for applications for up to £5000 to be submitted within the next two weeks.

Applications must be received no later than 4.00 pm on FRIDAY 29 February 2008.

Organisations likely to receive funding will fall into two broad categories:

• Those who interface directly with children and young people; and
• Those who work through units or other agencies and therefore tend to
  function by working with adults, eg volunteers.

It is also Council's practice to offer funding to only those Organisations which have and operate the following:

• Child Protection Policy
• Equal Opportunities Policy.

Programme One - Equipment
Applicants MUST illustrate how the equipment will make a positive contribution to the operation of the Headquarters Organisation, or its affiliated Units, or projects involving the young people with whom they work. Applications which clearly demonstrate how the purchase of this equipment will directly benefit the young people with whom the organisation works with will be given priority.

Programme Two- Creativity
The definition of Creativity, as contained in the "Unlocking Creativity" document is:

Creativity is an essential element of the personal and social development of all people. Just as literacy, numeracy and ICT are key skills for all ages, creativity also enables the growth of self-confidence, self expression and self esteem. The Youth Council will prioritise applications from:

1. individual organisations which work with young people that can be defined as falling within one or more of the Section 75 categories under the Northern Ireland Act 1998;
2. organisations which will form partnerships with organisations working with young people that can be defined as falling within one or more of the Section 75 categories under the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Programme Three - Healthy Living for young people
This initiative is designed to develop the role of youth work in the promotion of Healthy Living for young people in Northern Ireland. YCNI is actively looking to develop innovative, imaginative and creative ways in which young people may be introduced to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Applicants MUST illustrate how their work will make a positive contribution to
young people's knowledge and skills in making Healthy Living lifestyle choices.

YCNI has allocated £90,000 in total to this Short-Term Funding Programme [£30,000 to EACH individual Category].

The maximum allocation for all these programmes is £5,000 per applicant and organisations are restricted to ONE application per programme.

A full application pack for ANY Programme can be obtained by writing to:

Youth Council for Northern Ireland
Forestview,
Purdy's Lane,
Belfast BT8 7AR

Or details can accessed at www.ycni.org