PBNI: ASPIRE Young Men’s Project

Overview

The Fresh Start Agreement (FSA), published in November 2015, sets out new commitments to tackle paramilitarism and organised criminality. In July 2016 the NI Executive published an Action Plan with 43 recommendations to deliver on FSA. PBNI is leading on Recommendation B12, under which PBNI has developed an initiative named ‘Aspire’.

One strand of Aspire is to enable the Community and Voluntary Sector to work with young men aged 16-30 who are not subject to statutory supervision to achieve an overall aim /vision of enabling and encouraging young men to lead productive lives and realise their ambitions and aspirations.

PBNI invite submissions from organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector who can demonstrate an ability to deliver projects/services that address the needs of young men, can demonstrate measurable outcomes, and have a regional reach into local communities.

The successful applicant will deliver the required service initially from 1st September 2017 – 31 March 2018, although there may be scope to extend for up to a further 3 years depending on performance and availability of funding.

The grant award for this service will be made on the basis of merit demonstrated by the content and quality of the submitted application.

How much is available?

This will be initially a 6 month grant, from 1 September 17, with possibility of extension. The maximum grant, for a regional service, will be for £160k including VAT. The grant awarded will be to a single organisation, however the menu of interventions provided shall include where appropriate work by, and associated funding to, DOJ accredited Restorative Justice organisations. This will be drawn from the allocated funding.

Funding Criteria

• The successful bid shall include projects throughout Northern Ireland aimed at developing personal and social skills with vulnerable young men; improving mental health, emotional wellbeing, self-esteem and resilience; the promotion of lawfulness; increasing awareness of risk associated with crime; reducing marginalisation and developing social and civic responsibility.
• These interventions can be delivered through a wide range of mediums, for example, individual work or group sessions. The work shall also involve, where appropriate, work with the families of young men.
• The successful bid will address the age related specific risks, experiences and needs of relevant young men who are at risk of becoming involved or re-involved with the Criminal Justice system.
• In progressing the aims of the Fresh Start Agreement, PBNI is keen to work in partnership with a voluntary and community sector organisation to work directly with these young men and their families in order to reduce the risk of young men entering, or re-entering, the formal justice system.
• Part of the bidding process will include a requirement for organisations to identify referral sources of appropriate recipients (young men aged 16-30) for services, as well as be open to referrals from other sources such as community sources, Youth Services, Education Welfare Officers or PSNI.
• The successful applicant will be required to demonstrate results with an outcome focus to demonstrate effectiveness.

Further detail is set out in the application form available on the website

If you have any queries regarding Community and Voluntary Sector Funding please email cd@pbni.gsi.gov.uk.