Young people urged to bid for Council cash pot

9.49.22am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th May 2008

• A £170,000 CASH pot allocated by young people to young people for projects and activities in Richmond upon Thames is open for applications.

The Youth Opportunities and Youth Capital Funds, also known as the Pounds 4 Young People programme, offers grants to 13 to 19-year-olds who live, work or study in the borough. The money is supplied by central government to Richmond Council. Officers from the Youth Service support and advise a panel of young people as they decide which bids to give the money to. Successful projects last year won funding to build music studios, IT suites and sports areas, study support and educational visits, while others received money for culture and theatre trips. Grants will be made in three bidding rounds this year, with the deadline for the first round on 19 May. Applications made after this date will be considered in September and December. The Council's Integrated Youth Support Service is also appealing for young people to join the decision-making panel. They receive training and support to develop the skills and experience necessary to assess the bids. Over the last two years 46 young people aged 13 to 19 have helped decide where the money is spent.

Cllr John Coombs, Cabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure on Richmond Council, said: "It is vital young people have more opportunities to take part in positive activities and a greater voice in how money is spent as we work to improve youth services in the borough. That is why the Pounds 4 Young People programme has been so successful. It gives 13- to 19-year-olds cash for projects and activities that inspire and excite them but they must first persuade their peers that it will be money well spent. I therefore urge groups and individuals tap into this resource, whether it's for a few hundred pounds to fund trips to the theatre or for much larger grants for IT or studio equipment or to organise an event. We are also appealing for more young people to become decision-makers. Council officers will provide support and guidance to a panel of young people as they assess how this money should be spent."

The programme provided funds to a wide range of bidders last year, including:

• A grant of £12,870 for a computer and education room for young people at the Queens Road hostel, giving access to IT equipment and an informal meeting place

• Young people from Castelnau secured £2,250 to stage an International Women's Day event featuring workshops, performances and advice for women of all ages.

• A grant of £14,400 to develop a music studio in Richmond Council's Strathmore Centre.