Youth Opportunity and Capital Funds (YOF/YCF)

A message from the YOF team...

'Many thanks to all the young people and supporting adults who have made the Youth Opportunity and Capital Funds such a great success over the past 4 years. 

Unfortunately due to the current economic downturn the funds are now CLOSED.'

There are two funds from Central Government given to Hull City Council. The Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) is for money to spend on things to do and activities and the Youth Capital Fund (YCF) is for ‘places’, equipment and building things.

Since 2006/7 young people have granted £1.3 million for young people to change spaces and do activities, with over 8,000 different young people benefiting.

This year there is £448,900 YOF and £193,000 YCF available to use between April 2009 and March 2010.

The Youth Opportunity Fund is money to spend on things to do. In Hull, You can apply for a small or large YOF grant of between £250-£7500.

The Youth Capital Fund is for places, equipment and building things.  These are larger projects, which should help in providing activities with and for young people. In Hull, applying for grants for Youth Capital Fund needs to be for projects greater than £2,500. Single items have to cost more than £1,000 to be considered ‘capital’.

You can apply for small YOF grants twice and larger YOF or YCF grants once a year. If you work with larger groups of young people you may be able to apply for much larger grants e.g. £25,000 YCF and £10,000 YOF for projects such as running large summer activity programme or even helping to build and extension.

The YOF/YCF funding is provided to give young people choice and influence over "places to go and things to do" in their local area.  The funds have to make a positive impact on the lives of young people and their neighbourhood.

Applying for funding

Any young person aged 13-19 years can apply. Young people up to 25 years with specific disabilities can also apply. We encourage applications from the following:

• black and minority ethnic groups
• young people with disabilities
• young people in areas of disadvantage
• young carers
• young offenders
• looked after children or care leavers 
• young travellers or refugees
• lesbian, gay, transsexual and transgender young people
• all young people aged 13-19

There are lots of things you can do with the grant - as long as you work with at least one other young person to get it.  In some circumstances individuals can apply, but only to a maximum contribution of £350.

You can apply for the grants to get something to do, to change where you meet or to have something new.

You could apply to the Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) for example

• celebration or cultural events
• arts projects
• sports 
• trips
• gig/music 
• training
• volunteering
• changing your local neighbourhood
• small equipment (less than £1000)

You could apply to the Youth Capital Fund (YCF) for example:

• establishing a cybercafe
• skate park
• single item (more than £1000)
• computers suites
• mobile venue
• new building extension
• minibus

Using the money

This money is for extra things to do or places to go. It can't be used to replace things that should be provided by schools or the council. It won't pay for things that happen through the school day - unless it is to benefit young people who aren't on a school roll or register.

Decisions on applications

Funding panels made up of young people from the youth forums and local youth projects meet together to agree grants to young people who have made a bid.

The young people who take part have, or will gain, experience and training in one or more of the following:

• facilitating skills
• evaluating and assessing applications
• negotiation skills
• decision-making skills
• communication skills

They will look at the application form and discuss it when necessary with you and your supporting adult or group.  They will see if your bid fits the funding criteria.  Your bid must be planned and led by young people, but can be assisted by a supporting adult or group.

To apply for funding

Get together with your friends, talk about your ideas and get a supporting person or organisation to help.

Your application must do one of the following -

• benefit young people or the local community   
• help young people make choices in what happens in their local area
• increase access to arts, sport, cultural, recreational, leisure or multi media activities
• promote personal well being, health or safety
• build positive relationships with the different groups of young people and adults in their community
• help build understanding of others from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds
• help young people try volunteering
• activities that build skills and knowledge

There have been many exciting projects over the years such as developing a motorbike trails course, training as pool lifeguards, community gardening and allotment projects, stage and arts performances, volunteering projects and the YOF Big Bash celebration event, the list is only limited by imagination.
 
If you are interested in applying for a grant please download the application pack below.  If you need a different format or help please contact us.  Please be aware of its content, as it has lots of helpful tips and information, which have been developed by young people.

You should return your application to the address the postal address provided. The deadline for round 2 of funding is 3pm on Monday 21st September. You'll hear if you've been successful by the end of October. Projects begin in October and must finish by 31st March 2010.

Contact us

Please return your completed forms to -

Youth Development Service, YOF/YCF Grants Partnership,
East Stand, KC Stadium, Walton Street, HULL HU3 6HU.

For more information on YOF or YCF, please contact us -
Tel:  (01482) 300 300
Email: youthdevelopmentservice@hullcc.gov.uk