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Before you start your application

You may have come up with an idea that you think is just what your community needs, but what do other people think? Is your potential project something that only you and a handful of others will be interested in?

Youth Panels and local authorities are unlikely to give money to projects that will only benefit a few people, so it's a good idea to ask your friends and other people at your school or youth group what they think of your idea.

If there are lots of people who agree with you, then your idea is obviously a good one. Find out whether they want to help you out with applying for Youth Fund money - it's a lot easier to plan your project in a group.

If you want to know what members of Youth Panels really look for when they're awarding money, find out by having a look at a video interview.

• Download an interview with Youth Panel members explaining what makes a good project proposal (WMV, 13074K)
• Read a transcript of an interview with Youth Panel members explaining what makes a good project proposal

Open to all

When you're filling in your application form, make sure that you explain how your project idea can be used by any teenager in your local area, especially if it includes building leisure and sports facilities or making improvements to your local youth centre.

The more people that will benefit, the more likely you are to get some money.

However, if your project needs to be for a small number of people, try to explain why this is. Projects that may need to be limited in this way could include:

• support groups for teenagers who are victims of domestic violence
• counselling for young people who are worried about drug and alcohol abuse

How will your idea help people?

The Youth Panels and local authorities who hand out the Youth Fund money have a set of five outcomes that they'll use to judge your project. These outcomes are set out by the government, who want to make sure that youth projects will really make a change in communities, especially those that have no facilities that teens can use in their spare time.

When you're writing your application, you should try to explain how your project will meet these outcomes. The outcomes are:

• improving physical and mental health and encouraging teens to lead a healthy lifestyle
• providing activities and places that help to protect young people who may be in danger at home
• learning useful skills that will look good on a CV or a college or university application
• giving teenagers the chance to make positive changes in their area, especially those teens who may be pressured into breaking the law
• helping young people fulfil their potential, no matter who they are

If you're confused by these outcomes, talk to a youth worker or the Youth Funds co-ordinator at your local authority who will be able to help you.

• Find your local Youth Funds co-ordinator (opens new window)

General guidelines

There are also a few general things that you should look out for when you're writing a Youth Funds application. Most of these are common sense and apply to writing a CV or a covering letter for a job:

• it's likely that there will be a deadline for applications, so make sure that you send off your form in plenty of time
• make sure that your proposal is clear, easy to read and has no spelling or grammar mistakes
• attach a budget sheet that shows how much your project is likely to cost - a youth worker or a teacher will be able to help you out with this

• Download 'Youth Opportunity Fund & Youth Capital Fund Guidance Notes' (PDF, 268K) (opens new window)
• Help with PDF files