Up to £10k for Young Volunteers..

As everyone at OSTV tries to remember those far off days of their youth, we think of all the missed opportunities because we were always broke and never had enough money to get projects off the ground. Things have changed since the olden days.

The Sita Trust has just announced the next funding round of its new Young Person’s Volunteering Fund and you could get your hands on up to £10,000 for volunteering projects if you’re aged between 14-25 year olds (there are other rules, of course).

The fund has been created to help young people to volunteer their time to create or enhance waste facilities that can be enjoyed by the wider community. To be eligible, applicants must be able to show that young people will be fully involved in the design and development of the project, which has to meet the rules of the Landfill Communities Fund.

If you’re interested, the deadline is 10am on 9 August 2010 and your application has to demonstrate that it takes account the Nine Principles of Youth Action, which have been set out by the Youth Action Network. To save you hunting them down, we’ve summarised them below.

For more information about the funding, visit: www.sitatrust.org.uk/volunteering

The Nine Principles of Youth Action

1. Youth Participation: Young people are in the driving seat; they decide what happens.

2. Benefiting others: Young people don’t just do it for themselves, others benefit too!

3. Fun & rewarding: No one wants to do something that’s boring; it has to be fun and give a sense of achievement.

4. Flexibility: It should be when, where and how young people want it.

5. Support: Young people aren’t just ‘left to it’; they’re supported in their aspirations and efforts.

6. Recognition: Say thank you! Young people’s efforts should be celebrated.

7. Progression & Leadership: Young people want to develop; they enjoy a challenge, and this should be built in!

8. Diverse & inclusive: Any young person should be able to do youth action; think creatively to break down those barriers.

9. Skills & personal development: Youth action is a journey, with learning and education an important part of the experience.

If you want OSTV to help you develop your project for online television, contact us.