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CYEC Exchange Grants

Archived Active citizenship Age International issues Overseas aid and development Transport, travel and tourism volunteering Young people (13-25) Africa Antrim & Newtownabbey Ards & North Down Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Asia and Middle East Belfast City Causeway Coast and Glens Derry City and Strabane England Fermanagh and Omagh Great Britain International Lisburn and Castlereagh Mid and East Antrim Mid Ulster Newry, Mourne and Down Northern Ireland Scotland South and Central America Wales Medium (up to £60,000) Micro (up to £1,000) Small (up to £10,000)

Overview

Young people participate in Commonwealth youth exchanges via their local organisations - their youth club, community or youth organisation or school.

KEY FEATURES OF COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE

  • An inter-cultural experience for local groups of 15 -25 year olds
    A 2 year plus programme of personal and group development
    A highly participatory process with young people planning, undertaking and reviewing their learning
    A two way activity - groups visit and host overseas partners
    Thematic - young people share ideas and explore issues of mutual interest to them and their communities
    Active and involved - working together with overseas partners on projects and activities in both communities
    Self-help fundraising
    Having fun and making new friends

Priority is given to:

  • exchanges with Africa, Asia and the Caribbean
  • participants in the 15 -25 age range
  • exchanges involving young people who would not normally have such opportunities
  • projects with evidence of real youth ownership and participation in planning
  • programmes of joint activities with partner groups (not tours)
  • exchange groups with 5 -15 members, including leaders
  • exchange programmes of 3 weeks duration

Grants are given for group outward visits (25% - 40% of return travel costs) and group incoming visits (up to 40% of costs). CYEC also considers advance planning grants (75% of airfare for one applicant or 50% of airfare for two applicants).