Isle of Wight Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital Funds

The Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) is a pot of money given to the Isle of Wight Council by the Government to improve the provision of positive activities for young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged. This is to be used to develop new provision in terms of places to go and things to do.

There is money for young people aged 13-19 years old (up to 25 years, if they have additional needs) to take part in activities that they have not had the chance to do previously.  This may be things like residentials, DJ workshops, arts projects, film projects and anything that will benefit young people.

A group of local young people will decide how the money is given out to projects led by young people.  They will be working to criteria set out below.

There is also a pot of money, the Youth Capital Fund (YCF), which is part of this that can support young people to purchase mobile resources, equipment, and refurbish buildings.  This money will also be managed by this group of young people.

Up to the end of March 2011 there is £160,000 in total to support young people’s projects on the Island. 

If you have any questions or do not fully understand the criteria please contact Matthew Bell on 533523 or email matthew.bell@iow.gov.uk

All applications for projects and activities will have to take place before the end of March 2011.  All applications will be looked at and assessed by the Young People’s Panel who will meet on a monthly basis up to February 2011 (except August 2010).  To be assessed in any given month, applications will need to be received by 12.00 the first Friday in that month. Friday 5th March is the first submission cut off date.

Please note the fund may close early to new applications, once all the funding is allocated to young people’s projects and activities.

MS Word versions of forms are available upon request.

Please return all completed applications to YOF, C/O Matthew Bell, Thompson House, Sandy Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 3NA.