Douzelage Youth Opportunities Fund Presentation

Youth Opportunity Fund and Youth Capital Fund Simon Fraiz-Brown Democracy and Participation Team

Improving the quality of life for people in Dorset, now and for the future

What is the YOF/YCF? • £1,734,880 from central government over five years (2006- 2011) • £186,054 YOF per year- “Things to Do” • £160,922 YCF per year- “Places to Go” • Applications from young people and assessed by young people • Applications need to meet one of the 5 Outcomes of ECM

Improving the quality of life for people in Dorset, now and for the future

Participation of Young People • Young people have been integral to the delivery of YOF/YCF – Involved in the development of the guidelines – Trained in assessing bids – Assess the bids in small groups – Taken difficult decisions as a whole group

Improving the quality of life for people in Dorset, now and for the future

Recruitment of Young People Young people have been recruited through: • Members of DYCE (Dorset Youth Council Enables) the county youth council have led the assessments • Volunteers from Projects that have previously been successful in their bid have been invited to send young people to assess bids

Improving the quality of life for people in Dorset, now and for the future

Training Young People as Assessors Each young person participating has undertaken training. This has included: • Demographical information about Dorset • Information about YOF/YCF- what it is for and where it has come from • Criteria to assess against and practical examples of how to assess bids Young people have genuinely been given the power to make decisions Improving the quality of life for people in Dorset, now and for the future

Assessment Criteria

– Is there evidence of young people involved in the bid? – Is the money for 13-19 year olds? – Is there evidence it is needed? – Is it for young people who live in Dorset? – Does it fit one of the 5 ECM outcomes? – Does it provide value for money? – Does it benefit disadvantaged young people? Improving the quality of life for people in Dorset, now and for the future

How Much? So far: • Young people have assessed more than 200 bids • The bids have totalled almost £2 million • The young people have awarded £850,000 • 137 different projects have received funding

Improving the quality of life for people in Dorset, now and for the future

Outcomes for young people who have bid • Money has reached a wide range of groups and young people. For example: – A fishing project with young people at risk of school exclusion – Refurbishment of the kitchen in an information and advice centre – A residential for a Jitsu club – Funds for a young mothers group – Development of a new dance studio Improving the quality of life for people in Dorset, now and for the future

Outcomes for young people involved • 13 Young People have been accredited through the Dorset Award for their work in assessing bids • Young people involved in assessing bids have learnt new skills around analysis, negotiation, empathy and communication • Young people have an increased awareness of their own community and other communities in Dorset • Bridport Bandits Autograss Project won a national award for their bid and extra money Improving the quality of life for people in Dorset, now and for the future