Youth Innovation Fund

I can think of no better way, effortlessly and with confidence, to support local good causes than through Norfolk Community Foundation.

Paul Morgan,
Philanthropist and Founder Benefactor

Norfolk’s Youth Innovation Fund

Open for applications - future deadlines for the April panel will be updated soon

Norfolk County Council is launching a new Youth Innovation Fund worth £150,000 from September 2011, giving third sector and community groups the chance to bid for up to £5,000 to support new activities for young people aged 11-25 and to develop new ways of working.

The Innovation Fund, along with a separate Youth Transition Fund worth £250,000, is part of the County Council’s new approach to supporting local communities to meet the needs of their young people, especially those who are more vulnerable. The new approach will be delivered through a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) in each district, involving local agencies and young people in steering and commissioning local provision for young people. Whilst these new boards are set up, the County Council wants to provide support to existing youth groups and encourage new ways of meeting young people’s needs. Both funds are one-off opportunities that will help bridge the gap between the previous County Council delivered work and the new approach via Youth Advisory Boards.

Youth Innovation Fund

Norfolk Community Foundation is delivering this fund, on behalf of Norfolk County Council, to support new ideas and new ways of working that build capacity and strengthen youth provision in Norfolk. Full details are below. If you would like further advice and guidance please contact the Norfolk Community Foundation Grants Team on 01603 623958.

Youth Transition Fund

This fund is administered by Momentum, on behalf of Norfolk County Council, and has been set up to offer rapid-response funding to help groups and projects that are under threat following removal of funding or other support. To ensure that activity is able to continue, grants of up to £10,000 are available to support ‘core’ operational costs (venue hire, staff salaries etc). Capital costs will also be considered. To find out more about this fund please visit www.momentumnorfolk.org.uk or contact Sam on 01603 263209

Please note: In some cases groups may be able to apply to both of these schemes, but should ensure that applications closely address the priorities for each fund. Where this is the case, individual applications must be submitted to each fund which clearly separate out transitional costs from the costs of delivering new activities.

Youth Innovation Fund

This fund has been created to encourage innovative thinking and new approaches to meeting needs and delivering activities for young people aged 11-25. It aims to support projects to build capacity and resilience in local communities and the sustainability of civil society organisations.

Applicants should be able to robustly demonstrate that that proposed activity benefits the target age group, and:

Is a completely new area/ method of delivery for the applicant, distinct from existing provision
Has the potential to increase local opportunities for/ involvement from young people
Demonstrates a creative approach to meeting local need
Enhances long term sustainability and development

Who can apply?

‘Civil society organisations’ are eligible to apply. The Compact for Norfolk describes these as charities, social enterprises and constituted voluntary and community groups. This fund will also support parish/ town councils (for non statutory obligations only) and churches/ parochial church councils delivering activities for young people in Norfolk.

Applicants must be able to evidence that they have:

A constitution/ governing document
A management committee of at least 3 persons
A bank account in the name of the group applying, requiring min. 2 signatures to authorise payments (from unrelated persons)
Annual accounts
An equal opportunities statement/ policy
Appropriate child protection measures and CRB checks

The actual documentation required may vary depending upon the status of the organisation. Advice will be given by the Grants Team.

This fund is about supporting innovation and therefore applications may be made by groups that have been operating for less than 12 months, and who will consequently be unable to provide annual accounts. Where this is the case a budget projection of income and expenditure for the current year will be required.

This is not however a ‘start-up’ fund. Local communities wanting this kind of support should approach Momentum who may be able to help through their small grants programme.

What sort of activity can the fund support?

This fund is focused on innovation - new ideas and new ways of working - it will not support applications for help with existing running costs, existing posts, or projects that are already underway.

Examples of activity that could be considered for support:

A new partnership or collaboration that increases the capacity and scope of all partners
A pilot project to ‘test drive’ a new idea based on consultation with local young people, and/ or to create an evidence base for delivery in the long term
Delivering activities at other venues in the county or adding an outreach element to current provision to broaden involvement and meet the needs of young people not previously engaged
Purchasing equipment or services to enable a new activity to be offered
A project to engage particular groups of young people, especially those who are more disadvantaged.

This funding is one-off, therefore full consideration should be given to how activities will be sustained and developed in the future.

Exclusions

Costs that are linked to ‘core’ functions (overheads, existing staff salaries etc) or delivering ‘business as usual’ activities - see the Youth Transition Fund
Projects that have been tried before without success (unless they have significantly been revised)
Schools based/ curriculum linked activities
One-off trips/ activities unless linked with a wider programme of work
Proposals that are not evidence based

How much can I apply for?

Grants of up to £5,000 are available, to be spent within 12 months of the award.

Grants will be paid by BACS, or by cheque.

How to apply?

There is a two stage application process.

Step 1: Complete the Expression of Interest form (download below) and submit for approval.

Download the Expression of Interest Form

The Grants Team will contact you with feedback on your proposal – successful applicants will be invited to make a full application, unsuitable projects will be rejected at this stage. Where appropriate guidance will be given to revise your proposal.

Step 2: Full application

Once your proposal has been approved, you can submit a full application via Norfolk Community Foundation’s standard application form. You will receive full instructions upon approval for your proposal.

If you have any questions about making an application, or need to receive these forms in other formats please contact the Grants Team at 01603 623958.

When can I apply?

Applications can be accepted at any time while the fund is open. The grants panel will meet mid December 2011, February, April and June 2012 to award grants until the fund is fully allocated.

What reporting will be required?

Successful applicants will be required to provide a brief update approximately 4 months after the grant payment is made, to review progress and discuss any possible changes and developments to funded activities.

At the end of the funded period an end of grant report will be required which will ask for evidence of relevant expenditure, including receipts for capital items (equipment etc), a brief report on activity and the outcomes secured for young people.

Who will make the decisions about which applications are supported?

A grants panel is being established that will consist of young people, supported by a County Council Senior Consultation and Involvement Officer, together with an NCC Elected Member and senior officer from Children’s Services, a District Council officer plus a Police and Health representative. Norfolk Community Foundation and Momentum will be in attendance as non voting advisers.

For more information about this fund, please contact Jenny Bevan, Grants Officer, on 01603 623958 or email grants@norfolkfoundation.com