Youth Opportunities Fund

Groups of young people aged 13 to 19 in Bedfordshire are being invited to apply for money from funds being made available though Bedfordshire County Council. There will be a total of approx £440,000 available each year for the next three years. The fund in Bedfordshire is called Streetcred which combines money from central government under the Youth Opportunities and Capital Fund.

The Youth Opportunities Fund is a pot of money which is available to pay for young people’s activities, the sort of things they’d like to do but have never had the chance to. This may be things like DJ workshops, arts projects, sports projects, and environment projects which benefit other young people, etc.

The aim of the Youth Opportunities Fund is to involve young people, especially hard to reach young people, in identifying positive activities and things to do; and to support their role as decision makers, grant givers and project leaders.

The second fund, the Youth Capital Fund, is very similar to the Opportunities Fund but is to be used on things like doing up buildings, buying mobile resources, youth shelters, skate parks etc.

All you have to do is come up with a project idea for activities or buildings, complete the Streetcred application form and we’ll work out whether it comes from Youth Opportunities or Youth Capital.

The funds will be assessed and distributed by a group of young people from across Bedfordshire, who will meet to consider and discuss each application and decide on how the fund will be given out. This group will be working to a set of criteria to help them make those decisions. Streetcred will be supported by Bedfordshire Youth Service with young people, operating in different areas - North Beds, Mid Beds, South Beds and a countywide panel (for projects that cover more than one area). All you have to do is fill in the Streetcred application form - we’ll send it to the right group to assess.

If you’ve got any questions, then please email the project leader, Stephanie Large at stephanie.large@bedscc.gov.uk|  or call her on (01234) 408400.

If you would like to get a reminder when an application deadline is coming up (with an emailed copy of the application form) then please email Clare Hanley to be added to the distribution list, clare.hanley@bedscc.gov.uk| or call her on 01234 363222.

Deadline dates for the five rounds for 2008/2009 for Streetcred are:

• May deadline for applications - Friday 16 May 2008 @ 4pm
• July deadline for applications - Friday 18 July 2008 @ 4pm
• September deadline for applications - Friday 19 September 2008 @ 4pm
• November deadline for applications - Friday 14 November 2008 @ 4pm
• January deadline for applications - Friday 16 January 2009 @ 4pm

All applications must be received by:

Clare Hanley
County Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP

by 4pm on the deadline date.

Please note - Streetcred frequently asked questions has been updated.