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What is Mediabox?

Mediabox is a scheme that gives money to disadvantaged teenagers in England who have ideas for a creative community project.

There's £6m available to spend on projects by March 2008.

Mediabox is run separately from the Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital Funds, so there's a different application process. But if your application is successful, you'll be able to get loads of helpful advice and information from the Mediabox experts on making your project even better.

How Mediabox works

There are three types of funding available, either to develop new creative ideas or to help bring the work you've already done to a wider audience. The three types of grant are:

• 'My Mediabox' - grants from £100 to £1,000 are available for individuals or groups of teenagers for small one-off projects
• 'Mid Mediabox' - grants from £1,000 to £20,000 are for media projects led by disadvantaged young people and organisations that work with them for larger media projects
• 'Big Mediabox' - grants (up to £80,000) can help organisations with long-term, large-scale plans

Mediabox wants all the projects it funds to be seen and heard by as many people as possible. So if you apply, think about how you might promote it in your area, and even across the whole country.

Remember that if you get a grant, Mediabox will help you with all the practical arrangements and legal aspects of getting your work out into the media.

Getting an idea together

So what kind of projects can you create with a Mediabox grant? Here's a few ideas:

• design and develop a website featuring places and events for young people in your area
• write and direct a short film, highlighting the issues around gun crime in your town
• developing an interactive game for the internet
• produce a radio documentary featuring local MCs and DJs
• start an internet TV station

 The idea is that you can use your project to:

• express your opinions and ideas
• let other people know what it's like to live in your area
• develop your skills and talents
• have fun

How to apply

To apply for a Mediabox grant, and to get some more tips on making your application stand out from the crowd, visit the Mediabox website.

Remember that Mediabox is run separately from other Youth Funds, so if you want to get some Mediabox money, you will have to follow a different application process.

• Get cash for your media projects from Mediabox Opens new window