Youth Council: Programme Support Funding

Overview

Programme Support Funding [refer to Section 6]

This will amount to 12.5% of all funding. This funding will be potentially available to organisations:

• able to meet YCNIs basic criteria; and
• able to meet YCNIs test for a “regional” organisation.

Organisations can apply on a competitive basis for this funding to deliver specific programmes which are in line with Youth Work Strategy priorities.

Organisations that meet all the relevant Criteria set out at Stage 1 and Stage 2 below will be considered potentially eligible for Programme Support Funding. The level of funding will be determined by the Council, based on the assessment of the applications received and the availability of resources.

STAGE 1 – YCNI BASIC CRITERIA

Before applying the regional criteria, the Youth Council will expect organisations to demonstrate a range of characteristics through their constitution, strategic plan (or similar) and audited/certified accounts.

These will include:

1. They are properly constituted bodies providing programmes for children and young people (aged 4 to 25), or an organisation primarily serving such bodies.
2. They must be non-statutory.
3. They must be a “not for profit” organisation.
4. They meet the going concern concept. [According to the Statement of Standard Accounting Practice 2, this is defined as “will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future”. YCNI will assume this to mean financial solvency according to the organisation’s balance sheet and reserves the right to seek expert opinion on this matter.]
5. They must have demonstrable evidence that they have in operation and not just in theory a fit for purpose and contemporary Child Protection Policy and Procedures, consistent with the applicable Department of Education guidance and the relevant legislation as amended from time to time
6. They must have demonstrable evidence that they have in operation and not just in theory a fit for purpose and contemporary Equal Opportunities Policy and Procedures delivered through their management structure and employment practice.
7. They are not linked to a political party.
8. Their primary intent must not be proselytising.

STAGE 2 - REGIONAL TEST

All organisations which meet the basic funding criteria set out above will be eligible to be considered under this stage - the Regional Test. The practical test that will be applied is:

Is the organisation providing or supporting services for young people from at least 70% of District Council areas on a regular basis (at least once every 6 months)

PROGRAMME FUNDING – PRIORITIES

The priorities to be supported through this funding strand will be determined by the Youth Council, but will be consistent with the Youth Work Strategy. These priorities will be advertised when applications are being sought. 20% of this funding will be used to support work which incorporates RVYOs sharing resources and improving their individual efficiency.