Young people in Dorset are set to benefit from an increase in this year's Dorset Council Youth Grant which means there is an overall fund of £200,000 for 2024 to 2025. The fund can support the delivery of a range of positive activities for young people living in Dorset.

The Dorset Youth Fund is open to voluntary and community sector organisations within the Dorset Council area, that benefit the young people who live there.

Eligible organisations will be able to apply for grants from £500 to £10,000. To be considered, we will expect your project to contribute to at least one of the following outcomes:

• providing positive activities for young people, including support for vulnerable young people whose needs might otherwise escalate
• improving the wellbeing of young people in the Dorset Council area

 You can find the full criteria on the Dorset Council website.

Applications are now open, and you have until 5 June to apply. Once your application has been checked to ensure it fits with the criteria, it will be considered by the Grant Panel for a decision and applicants will be informed on 11 July.

Theresa Leavy, Executive Director for Children Services, said;

"Children, young people and their families are at the centre of everything we do and we want them to have healthy and active lives, so we are delighted to be continuing to support a wide range of activities across Dorset through the Youth Fund grants.

"Following on from last year, the Grant Panel will include a selection of young people directly involved in assessing the bids for grants and discussing how the money we award will make a difference to young people in their own communities. That way young people are able to have their say, be listened to and feel they can make a difference.

"We want to encourage applications from across the council area, to ensure as many young people can benefit from it as possible."

How the funding has helped Dorset's young people

Over the last four years Dorset Council has given out £400k in grants to 100 successful applicants. Last year we issued 34 grants ranging from £500 to £5000.

Buckland Newton Youth Club received a Dorset Council Youth Grant in 2022 and they have since gone from strength to strength.

Kate Parish, from Buckland Newton Youth Centre, said: "The funding we have received from Dorset Council has enabled us to increase our offer of creative and fun activities for young people in the community."

How to apply

To apply for a Dorset Council Youth Grant, head to the Dorset Council website and submit your application before 5 June 2024.

 The eligibility criteria, further information about the decision process, and details of what we will/will not fund can be found on the website, alongside support in submitting your online application.