[L]ocal groups can apply for grants between £1,000 and £5,000 for youth social action projects that promote volunteering, fundraising and campaigning amongst young people.
The Youth Social Action Fund is a national grants programme and part of the wider multi-agency #iwill campaign, and is being delivered in our region by Cumbria Community Foundation. It aims to get 6 out of 10 young people involved in social action by 2020.
The new £80,000 annual grant scheme will support both traditional social action (e.g. regular youth volunteering at a care home) and newer ways to create positive social impact such as micro-volunteering activities (e.g. a social media campaign by young people promoting positive body image).
Match funding has been secured by Thomas Graham Ltd, Shepley Engineers, Lakeland Ltd and the Beverley Trust.
Grants of £1,000 – £5,000 will be available for projects of up to one year’s duration working with young people aged 10 to 20 years old, or 25 years old for disabled people. Projects don’t have to necessarily be led by a youth group and can deliver opportunities in a range of contexts and settings e.g. online, extracurricular, in clubs and groups, informally, or as part of structured programmes.
Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services Officer at the Foundation, said: “This new funding will be a huge boost for youth groups across the county, giving young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the opportunity to gain the experiences and skills they need to succeed in life. Focusing on getting young people involved in their community at a young age will build a new generation of active, involved citizens.”
The fund is open to registered charities, constituted community groups and other charitable organisations. Social Enterprises and CICs may also apply.
For more information or to apply for funding, visit www.cumbriafoundation.org or call 01900 825760. The closing date for the first round of funding is 19th May.
