Education Authority: Youth Service Small Grants Programme

Overview

Overview

EA Youth Service operate a funding scheme which focuses on 6 main funding streams:

• Regional Strategic
• Regional Project
• Regional Development
• Local Area Based
• Local Project
• Generic/non-targeted

There is also a range of funding available throughout the year for programmes such as small grants, TBUC camps and planned intervention.

They will fund youth organisations that;

• deliver Youth Work in accordance with Priorities for Youth – ‘Improving the lives of Young People through Youth Work’ (DE 2013)
• deliver the youth work curriculum, ‘Youth Work: A Model for Effective Practice’ (DE 2003)
• meet the needs of children and young people as outlined in the Regional Assessment of Need  and in Regional & Local Youth Development Plans
• use a Strength Based Approach to the planning and delivery of programmes with young people
• are registered with EA

Based on the needs of the Youth Service, other organisations which provide specialist services may have the opportunity to apply for funding, namely Regional Project and/or Regional Development Funding

What Types of Funding are Available?

There are two types of funding available within the new scheme; Regional Funding and Local Funding. All funding opportunities will be publicly advertised.

What Can Organisations Apply For?

Depending on the nature of the youth work provision some groups may be eligible to apply for a number of the six funding streams.

What is the Small Grants Programme?

The Small Grants Programme for 2024-2025 is to enable young people to apply for funding to support other young people in their communities to:

• promote youth participation, leadership, and volunteering
• build and develop life skills
• explore relevant issues for young people, including at least one of the following topics: mental health awareness, social media & online safety, environment and sustainability, vaping, drugs & alcohol.

Please note: Project which clearly demonstrate partnership working (such as working with a partner group), inclusion and diversity will be awarded additional points during scoring. For example: promoting diverse cultures and ensuring inclusion of young people’s diverse needs and abilities within the project delivered.

Projects should be applied for and planned by young people… for young people.

Who can apply?

The Small Grants Programme is open to groups of young people:

• Aged 4 – 25 years
• Who are part of an Education Authority Youth Service (EAYS) registered and verified group

For more information and support on registering with EAYS, please visit Register with EA

Applications should be made by a group of at least 3 young people.

It is best to include some evidence of how young people have been involved in the planning of the application where possible, such as photographs of group planning.

The contact person should be a member of the youth group applying for the grant. This will be the person we contact regarding the application (any contact will be
prearranged with the youth leader). In a small number of cases we acknowledge that this may not be possible and another person, for example, a youth worker or volunteer, is needed to act as the contact person. If this is the case, please explain why in the space provided.

All ideas for the projects must come from the children and young people who will have control over any funding award. We encourage groups to include evidence of planning activities e.g. Photos of group work or planning sheets, along with the application form.

The Small Grants Programme is about young people taking part in projects which have been planned by young people for young people.

Funding

The Youth Service Small Grants Programme has two options:

Option 1:

• A group work programme with multiple sessions
• Maximum award £1500
• Must demonstrate young people's involvement in planning and delivery

Option 2:

• A one-off event
• Maximum award £500
• Must demonstrate young people's involvement in planning and delivery

Groups can only apply for one option per round of SGP funding, for either amount. So, you may apply for up to the max grant in each round, or the smaller one-off
event grant for up to £500 if this suits your programme aims.

The programme funding will cover:

Fund caps apply to most of the following items - see Guidance Notes

• Funding per participant
• Activities
• Materials to support projects
• Hire of equipment
• Specialist facilitators
• Catering
• Transport
• Hire of venue