Press Release
YouChoose launch - Young people decide how to spend £8000
Young people between the ages of 12 – 25 years will have the opportunity to put forward projects and vote on how £8000 should be spent in Shetland.
“YouChoose” is delighted to launch the application form that will allow groups, organisations and associations to bid for a share of the money to fund projects that benefits young people.
Each project will need to show that young people were involved in creating the ideas and that young people were involved in preparing and submitting the bids, with the support of youth workers, teachers, volunteers and steering group members as appropriate.
All application forms should be returned by Friday 16th December 2011. They are many ways groups and organisations can request an application form:
Write to: Youth Services, Islesburgh Complex, Lerwick, ZE1 0EQ
Download www.youngscot.org/local/shetland
Email youchoose@shetland.gov.uk
The YouChoose steering groupis made up of young people from Shetland Youth Voice, Shetland’s Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) and council officers from the Bridges Project, Youth Services, Community Work, Environmental Health and Emma Perring, the council’s lead on poverty and deprivation. Their role is to coordinate the running of the project to make sure that they deliver the Participatory Budgeting process and to provide a point of contact for any enquiries.
The steering group sent out a questionnaire to help identify priorities for any project that receives a share of the money. In over 400 responses, the following were identified as key for any successful bid:
- Assistance with access to existing activities, i.e. transport and/or admission costs
- Participation in democratic processes
- Places to hang out and exist - run for and by young people
- One off big events vs. small funding bids
Shetland MSYP Emily Shaw said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the young people of Shetland and something which I would urge anyone with any ideas to get involved in. The success of ‘Wir Community, Wir Choice’ promises great things for YouChoose as the projects are based on a common principle.
“With such an impressive grant pot, this venture will be something which could really improve our community and it’s brilliant to see such a project focusing on the inspiration and ideas within our young population.”
For more information please contact youchoose@shetland.gov.uk or visit www.facebook.com/YouChooseShetland