DDLETB Local Youth Club Grant Scheme
Introduction to the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme incorporating the National Quality Standards for Volunteer-led Youth Groups:
The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS or ‘the Scheme’) supports volunteer-led youth club/group activities at a local level. The Scheme, which provides grant aid towards the costs of running clubs/groups, is part-funded by the proceeds of the National Lottery. Funding for the Scheme is provided by the Department of Children, Equality, Integration, Disability and Youth (DCEDIY) and is administered locally by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) as co-grantor and on behalf of DCEDIY. ETBs advertise the Scheme locally on an annual basis, outlining the purpose of the grant and the eligibility criteria.
Download DDLETB Local Youth Club Grant Scheme Application form 2021
Download 2021 Local Youth Club Group Scheme Guidance Notes
The Scheme supports voluntary youth club/group activities for young people; with priority given to clubs/groups catering for young people aged 10–21. The primary focus of the Scheme is to assist local volunteer-led youth clubs/groups that provide a programme of youth work activities for young people. In addition, other clubs/groups that work with young people, but are not specifically providing youth work, are also entitled to apply for funding under the Scheme.
In 2017, DCEDIY incorporated the National Quality Standards for Volunteer-led Youth Groups (NQSVLYG) into the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS). These national quality standards were developed to support and enhance voluntary work with young people. The three National Quality Standards for Volunteer-led Youth Groups are:
1. Standard 1: Safety and well-being – Programmes, practices, and people ensure and promote the safety, support and well-being of young people.
2. Standard 2: Young person-centred – Programmes, practices, and people ensure and promote the voluntary participation, inclusion and voice of young people.
3. Standard 3: Developmental and educational – Programmes, practices, and people ensure and promote the development, achievement and progression of young people.
Throughout the club/group year, volunteers progress actions relating to the Standards that will improve the running of the club/group and the experience of the young people attending the club/group. Where a club/group requires support with progressing the Standards, it can request this from the National Youth Organisation to which it is affiliated. A youth club/group that is not affiliated to a National Youth Organisation can request support from its local ETB (see contact details in Appendix 1 of the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme Application Form).
The LYCGS Application Form is also the reporting template for the National Quality Standards for Volunteer-led Youth Groups. If you do not wish to apply for the grant, you need only complete Sections 1, 2 and 5 of the form. If you need any help in completing these sections of the form, please contact your National Youth Organisation (see details listed in Appendix 2 of the Form).
Download DDLETB Local Youth Club Grant Scheme Application form 2021
Download 2021 Local Youth Club Group Scheme Guidance Notes
