Delivering the National Youth Guarantee
DCMS provided an update on the Government’s progress in delivering the National Youth Guarantee - including creating over 60,000 volunteering opportunities, delivered through the #iwill fund - in addition to opening two further funding opportunities:
• The Adventures Away from Home Fund - £1.5 million in bursaries for up to 7,500 young people who face barriers to getting outdoors to go on adventurous trips away from home. A competition to apply to be the grant administrator is currently live, and will close on Wednesday 18 October 2023. Bursaries will be distributed later this year.
• Opening of the £19 million Million Hours Fund - creating more positive activities for young people in ASB hotspots. The deadline is 12.00 on Friday 24 November 2023. Read more on this press release from the DCMS Secretary of State, Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC MP. S
Supporting the Youth Sector
• DCMS has published updated guidance for local authorities’ youth provision which underpins their statutory duty outlined in section 507B of the Education Act 1996.
• The Department are funding a Peer Review Programme to support local authorities to review their youth offer and learn from each other.
• £800,000 has been allocated for bursaries for 500 youth workers and volunteers who would otherwise be unable to afford to undertake youth work qualifications.
• £320,000 will provide core funding for all regional youth work units in England to improve their practices and ensure a consistent minimum level of regional leadership.
• £250,000 will create 10 new local youth partnerships in ten areas to foster greater collaboration locally between youth organisations, funders and local businesses.
Read more about the Government funding to train new youth workers.
More support for those who need it most
• £15m of Dormant Assets funding has been allocated to Youth Futures Foundation to deliver and evaluate a new ‘Building Futures’ programme which will support up to 5,000 young people aged 14-16 at risk of falling out of education, employment or training with intensive mentoring and wraparound support.
• Partnering with the Youth Endowment Fund and Youth Futures Foundation, DCMS will also deliver & evaluate a multi-year ‘Summer Jobs Programme’ providing six-week employment placements for 2,600 young people at risk of involvement in crime.
• The Department will also deliver at least 100 9-12 month paid work placements for 18-24 year olds not in education, employment or training, as part of the National Citizen Service’s UK Year of Service.