Launch of Youth Voice Youth Choice scheme

Royal Borough young people are to have their own "junior" version of the borough's popular Your Local Budget scheme to fund community and group projects.

The new Youth Voice Youth Choice scheme for 11- to 19-year-olds is to be launched at a special reception in the Town Hall, Maidenhead, on Monday 16 July.

The scheme - run by the borough's Youth Council and the community partnerships team - will give young people the opportunity to bid for funding for projects such as educational trips, training opportunities and new equipment.

The launch of the scheme follows a Youth Council bid to the Big Society Grant to run a young people's version of the borough's popular Your Local Budget scheme*. The £20,000 in the Youth Voice Youth Choice "pot" is made up of £10,000 from each of the Big Society Grant and the Participatory Budget.

Applications will be considered in four categories - individuals, schools, youth groups and targeted groups - and the top four in each category (chosen by the Youth Council) will be displayed on the borough's website for a month-long voting period with the potential to receive up to £2,500 in funding.

The deadline for the first round of applications is Friday 5 October and online voting will take place from 1 to 30 November. A second round of nominations and voting will take place between February and March 2013.

Cllr Eileen Quick, cabinet member for children's services, said: "The borough's Your Local Budget scheme has proved really popular and is now once again open for voting.

"This young people's version is extremely exciting as it will give our young people a real voice in choosing the projects they want to make happen within their schools and youth groups and in their local areas by going onto the borough's website and casting their votes from the shortlist.

"So please do think about sending in your applications for projects and then keep an eye open for the shortlist later in the year and cast your votes."

Application forms are available from www.wamster.org.uk

For further information email youthvoice@rbwm.gov.uk or contact Danny Gomm, youth service projects and programme co-ordinator, on 01628 796744. Voting details will be available nearer the time.

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