Maidenhead & Windsor

A group of Maidenhead Royal Borough teenagers are about to have their first practical taste of financial democracy with the launch of an innovative scheme giving them the purse-strings on spending for other young people.

Following training sessions to help them get to grips with their spending power, the newly-qualified Maidenhead youth assessors are now urging young people and youth groups across the borough to apply for funding for activities and facilities under the government's £145,000 two-year Youth Opportunities Fund.

The young Maidenhead assessors will hold regular panel meetings (the first of which is next Thursday October 19) to consider applications from groups of their peers in the 13-19 age group and decide which schemes and projects should be allocated money under the scheme – including activities such as residential courses, arts workshops, DJ workshops and the purchasing of sports equipment.

Applications will be judged on a list of criteria including:

· a maximum Youth Opportunity Fund grant of £4000 is available
· projects must involve young people living in the borough aged 13 – 19
· all applications must be completed by young people themselves, though each group must have an adult representative and a bank account
· projects involving or benefiting groups of vulnerable young people will be given additional consideration.

Cllr Richard Fagence, lead member for Maidenhead leisure and cultural services, said: "Our first group of trained young assessors are now raring to go and very keen to hear from groups of young people who have particular schemes or projects they would like to get off the ground.

"This YOF money is all about providing the opportunity to help young people benefit from things they really want to do and places to go, and promoting schemes and activities which will help them develop their confidence, skills and knowledge.

"This really is democracy at work – with young people making decisions which will have a real impact on the lives of some of their peers across the borough. I would urge youth groups to take this opportunity to get their applications in as soon as possible."

Applications for funding will be judged on a monthly basis at regular panel sittings – with final applications for the current financial year submitted no later than February 9 2007. Every application which meets the panel's criteria will result in group members meeting the young assessors to explain exactly how they intend to spend the money – and feedback will be available for unsuccessful applicants.

For more information on how to apply for Maidenhead funding – or how to become a young assessor - contact Denise Gilholme on 01628 796949 or Danny Gomm on 01628 510289.

For an application form write to: YOF Applications, Castle Hill Centre, High Town Road, Maidenhead SL6 1PB (Tel: 01628 510289) or email yof@rbwm.gov.uk

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead