Small Grants Programme

In this section of the form you should provide the details of the contact person for the project.

The contact person should be a member of the group of young people who are applying for the grant.  This will be the person we contact regarding the application. (any contact will be prearranged with the youth leader).    

Address: provide the address details of the Youth organisation, rather than the applicant’s personal address.  

Youth Organisations must be an Education Authority Youth Service registered and verified group.

The role of the youth organisation is to support the group awarded a grant, particularly with keeping safe and ensuring that the young people enjoy and benefit from the experience offered to them.

It can also include support with organising activities, resolving difficulties, keeping records, managing the grant & maintaining the group’s enthusiasm for the project.

The youth organisation could also help the group to recognise the benefits from the project for themselves, their peer group, family, youth group, school, local community or wider society.

The youth organisation will act as the host for the grant awarded to the group of young people. To be sure that children and young people have access to and can control any grant that may be offered for their project, the group should agree with the youth organisation how this will happen.

• You must tick whether you are applying for Option 1 – Group programme (Max award of £1,500) or Option 2 – One-off event (Max award of £500)
• You must give the Project name
• You must confirm the number of children/young people making the application. Please note a minimum of 3 young people must make the application.
• You must provide the number of young people against each age range who are directly involved in making the application.
• You must confirm how many young people will be taking part in the overall project?
• You must provide the number of young people against each age range who are taking part in the overall project
• You must detail the intended project start and end date.
• All projects should end by 31^st December 2026.

Describe the benefits of your project, using the below questions as a guide. You must tell us why you believe the project is needed. You must describe how you expect the project will address local issues.

Describe the benefits of your project, using the below questions as a guide What difference do you expect the project to make, e.g.,

• Will it increase partnership working and diversity?
• How does your project promote diversity? – Are you working with diverse young people? Do your activities help diverse young people to feel more included?
• How does your project promote working with others? – Are you working with any other organisations or partners in your area? Does your project help young people to make connections outside their own centre?

Additional scoring will be given to groups that demonstrate how the project will increase diversity and partnership working.

This is where you outline in more detail how you will accomplish your goals and giving a breakdown of dates for each area achieved to be delivered.

Describe your project in detail, using the below questions as a guide.

• What is the overall aim of your project?
• How does the project fit in with the themes and purpose of Small Grants Programme?
• Why do you think your project is needed?

Additional scoring is given to projects that demonstrate longevity of the project to continue after the project or clearly articulates the potential of having a lasting impact on the community.

This is where you state how your project represents good value for money. This could include the following, if relevant:

• Effective use of preparation/administration time
• Ratio of staff and volunteers to young people
• Rationale for employment of specialist staff
• In kind contributions, for e.g. venue, volunteers, resources
• Funding from other sources

When planning your project, you should be sure to cost ALL the parts of it as accurately as possible. Think about everything you have said in your project description and consider if any of it will involve a cost, no matter how small.  We have given some examples below.

Within the budget section in the application form, please breakdown the costs and use the category headings that we have given you. For example: Instead of writing ‘materials – £400’, please list the materials you are planning on buying for this project. This will provide the panel with more information and hopefully allow them to approve your application.

If you are planning to go on visits or outings you should: –

• Find out if there are any entry fees to be paid (check if there is a group rate or discount)
• Work out how much, if anything, you will ask members of your group to pay toward the activity or visit
• Make sure that the venue you are going to has all the necessary services and facilities to meet the needs of your group
• Make sure all arrangements meet organisational and health and safety guidelines

If you will need transport you should: –

• Work out how often you will need it and how many people will be involved in each journey
• Decide on the various destinations/venues which might be used
• Decide if everyone will be picked up at the one point
• Then contact a hire company or organisation, and ask them to price the journeys for you

If you are hiring a venue or premises to hold meetings etc. you should: –

• Check the cost per meeting (some places charge by the hour or per session);
• Work out how many times you might need the venue for meetings, etc
• Check if deposits are required or if any other costs are involved e.g. for hire of equipment

If you are looking for specialist tutors to help you deliver part of your project, you should work out how often you will need them and make sure that the price they are quoting includes: –

• Either a price per hour or per session (find out how long a session is)
• Their travel to and from your meeting place (ask if any other costs apply)
• Any materials, e.g. pens, paper, markers, folders, etc. you might need

Please include the price per hour/session, in the budget section of the application form.

If you require more money than we can award, it is important that this additional money is secured before the project starts. If not, our award panel may consider this a high risk to the potential success of your project, especially if it is a significant amount – it may cause a delay, or no grant being offered.