Youngsters' chance to try for grant

But young people wanting help to raise cash for activities in their local community need to act fast.

ESCC administers the Government's Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) in the county and wants to hear from any young people who need some help funding a community event, activity or equipment.

But they only have until noon on 5 February to get their applications submitted.

Young people are involved at every step of the funding process under the programme - they put forward their ideas and bid for funding, a panel of young people decides which projects should get the cash and then the young people themselves participate in the projects.

The money, available in grants of between 500 and 2,000, can be spent on one-off activities for the young person's group, a project at their youth centre or club, improving facilities, special workshops or trips.

The money is for equipment purchases or activities that take place before the end of March 2009.

Cllr Keith Glazier, the County Council's Lead Member for Children's and Adults' Services said: "This is a really positive funding scheme because young people are involved at every stage. In the past couple of years we have been able to provide small grants to an array of groups and through the scheme we have seen hundreds of examples of young people making a positive contribution to their groups and local community."

In the past few years a little over 640,000 has been allocated to more than 300 projects under the Youth Opportunity Fund.

Applications are welcome from all young people aged 13-19 living in the county and to be considered for a grant the young people have to complete an application form and meet some simple criteria. All applications have to be supported by an adult from an affiliated youth or community organisation.

More information including the application form, the criteria for the Youth Opportunity Fund and the conditions of funding are available on the East Sussex County Council website at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/youngpeople

Application forms can also be obtained by writing to Donna Wilde, Youth Opportunity Fund, 2nd Floor 87-89 London Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN37 6DH or by emailing: [email protected]