Money, Money, Money

Good afternoon all,

I have lots to share today ICT Youth Hubs, Sports facilities grants, community and heritage projects... you'll see I have had quite a few funding updates of late!

Rhiannon our Project Support Officer is busy compiling all of these opportunities into one database/directory so that we have our finger on the pulse and the most up to date information on funding for community groups such as the Local Commissioning Networks.

Recent opportunities that have caught my eye include:

• Do you want to become an IT Youth Hub? FREE opportunity for Youth Clubs
• StreetGames
• Young Roots- Heritage Lottery Fund
• Funding for Childrens Outdoor Recreational Activities (UK)
• Sport England Iconic Facilities Fund

I have given a summary below- don't forget if you are interested in applying for funding, but are not sure where to start, give us a call on 01934 634 758 or positive.activities@n-somerset.gov.uk.

Do you want to be come an IT youth hub?

UK Youth's new programme with Microsoft is NOW OPEN offering 30 youth clubs the chance to become IT Youth Hubs.

Each of the 30 selected clubs will receive a FREE technology makeover, financial support and a Microsoft IT mentor.

Selected Microsoft IT Youth Hub will be run by a group of young people (IT Champions) who will learn IT and take part in a peer education programme, ensuring a wider group of young people benefit from improved IT skills.

IT Champions will be overseen by a youth worker who will receive training and support from a Microsoft volunteer.

"This programme is a fantastic and timely addition to our work.  We want to ensure that as many young people in our network are able to progress in the digital age, especially those who have limited access to IT.  No business is better placed to help us do this than Microsoft." Charlotte Hill, UK Youth Chief Executive.

To apply please download an application form from our website.  If you have any questions please contact Abby@ukyouth.org .

StreetGames

The Sports and Active Lifestyles team have recently recruited two self employed multisport StreetGames coaches for the North Somerset area. The team are now in a position to look at where the demand is for StreetGames delivery and try to fill up the 10 hours allocated to each sports coach.

These coaches will be on a fixed term self employed contact with the Council and as a result there will be no cost incurred by you for their delivery during the initial 6 months.

There is an expectation that demand for their time will be high, therefore if your network is interested in hosting a StreetGames coach/programme, check out the ‘eligibility’ list below which should help you decide if you are eligible to host a StreetGames coach/ programme.

Eligibility

• StreetGames is about bringing sport straight to the doorstep of young people living in disadvantaged communities.
• Sport sessions last 1 hour a week.
• Local volunteers are identified and invested in

Funding

• Is available for the payment of the sport and/ or physical activity deliverery
• Can be made available for venue/ facility where the case can be made
• Is not forever! Sustainability must be considered

Target Groups, Sports and Sessions

• Must be able to provide evidence of demand/ need
• Must be within the area of North Somerset
• Aimed at those aged 11 + (there is some flexibility if need can be demonstrated)
• All year round activities
• Must be able to supervise/ support sessions
• Compliment current youth provision but can not enhance sport/ physical activity already taking place
• Competition/festival element can be included within the projects
• Be willing to assist with monitoring and evaluation
• Be willing to work towards long term sustainability

Please contact Lisa.Perryman@n-somerset.gov.uk for more information.

Young Roots- Heritage Lottery Fund

Young Roots is a grant programme designed to engage young people aged 11-25 with their heritage. Young Roots projects stem directly from the interest and ideas of young people, who are supported by youth and heritage organisations to develop skills, build confidence, and connect with their local communities.

To receive a Young Roots grant, your project must relate to the varied heritage of the UK and:

• Provide new opportunities for a wider range of young people ages 11 to 25 to learn about their own and others heritage.
• Allow young people to lead and take part in creative and engaging activities.
• Develop partnership between youth organisations and heritage organisations and create opportunities to celebrate young people’s achievements in the project and share learning with the wider community.
• Your project must also create new opportunities for young people to either volunteer in heritage, or gain skills in indentifying, recording, interpreting or caring for heritage.

Please see their website for more details.

Funding for IT Projects Supporting Disadvantaged Groups

Funding is available to organisations with innovative IT related project ideas that can make a positive difference to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

The funding, which is available through the Nominet Trust, aims to fund innovative Internet projects that make a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people.

The Trust is particularly interested in funding projects that can be scaled up and replicated. There is no minimum grant application and applications for over £100,000 require an interview.

Organisations, wishing to apply, initially need to complete an online application form. Those organisations deemed successful will be invited to complete the Stage 2 application form.

Previously projects supported through the Trust include:

• Pottery Primary School, Belper, which received funding towards the costs of printed material to raise awareness to parents, children and the community of internet risks and safety measures. 
• Learning for the 4th Age, which received funding to increase the use of IT in care homes to benefit elderly residents and young volunteers alike.

The next closing date for submitting initial Advisory Eligibility Forms is 12th December 2012. Stage 2 applications to be submitted by 31st January 2013. For further information contact Funding for IT Projects Supporting Disadvantaged Groups (UK).

The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme

...has announced that its funding programme for children’s education and children’s welfare will re-open for applications on the 1st December 2012. The scheme awards one-off donations of between £500 and £4,000 to registered charities, schools and not for profit organisations. The funding goes towards providing practical benefits, such as equipment and resources for projects that directly benefit children living in the local communities around Tesco stores in the UK.

Projects previously supported include:

• Playground equipment in schools and local communities
• Sensory garden or room projects
• Outdoor classrooms
• Breakfast and after school clubs
• Holiday play-schemes
• Part funding to purchase minibuses

The closing date for applications will be 30th January 2013. For further information contact Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards (UK).

Tesco Charity Trust - Large Grants Programme (UK)

The Tesco Charity Trust has announced that its large grants programme is open for applications.  The Trust gives one-off donations ranging between £4,000 and £25,000 to charities working in the areas of:

• Children’s welfare and education
• Elderly people’s welfare
• Adults and children with disabilities.

The funding is available to charities working on an international, national or regional basis in areas where Tesco have a presence. 

The closing date for applications is the 2nd November 2012.

Funding for Childrens Outdoor Recreational Activities (UK)

The Outdoor clothing company "North Face" has announced the launch of a new funding round of its Explore Fund.

The Explore Fund supports not for profit organisations that encourage youth outdoor participation. Grants of up to €2,500 are available for projects that:

• encourage community involvement
• focus on breaking down barriers to getting youth outdoors
• projects that reach out to a specific community or place of interest.

Only one Explore Fund financial support package will be given to an organisation in each calendar year and applications that can provide match funding will be viewed favourably.

The closing date for applications is the 28th February 2013.

Sport England Iconic Facilities Fund Re-Opens for Applications (England)

Sport England has announced that although the Iconic Facilities Fund has re-opened for applications.

The Iconic Facilities fund is part of the £135m Places People Play initiative which will transform the places where people play sport and contribute to an increase in mass participation in sport across England. The fund will support the building and improvement of strategic new sports facilities used by at least two National Governing Bodies of Sport.

A key criteria of the fund will be to support facility projects that are sustainable in the long-term. Bids can be submitted by organisation entitled to receive public funding such as:

• Sports clubs
• Voluntary or community organizations
• Local authorities and education establishments such as schools, colleges and universities.

Priority will be given to projects with a collaborative or consortia approach between public, private and commercial organisations.

An example of a previous project funded by the Fund is:

Birtley Young People’s Club received £573,610 for a new state-of-the-art multi-sports hub. The new facility includes two gyms, three boxing rings, two junior grass pitches, an education/conference room and office and classroom space. 

The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 17th December 2012.

I hope you find something useful!

Heather,