North Yorkshire County Council has once again been allocated money to be spent on provision for young people (primarily 13-19 years of age, but may extend to 25 if the young person has learning difficulties or a disability). 2010-2011 is expected to be the final year of this grant.

The youth opportunity fund (YOF) and youth capital fund (YCF) are Government grants that aim to improve and increase opportunities for 'places to go' and 'things to do' for young people.

One of the main principles behind the funding is that young people themselves should be involved in making decisions about what the funding is used for.

Within the guidelines provided, and by working with young people, we have developed a range of mechanisms that include open access opportunities and special initiatives that target disadvantaged groups. Our aim is that by assisting young people to access these funds, they may improve upon and increase the number of quality 'places to go' as well as create more opportunities for 'things to do'.

For detailed guidance on these funds please follow the link below:

Youth opportunity fund and youth capital fund delivery guidance

In North Yorkshire 2010 - 2011 YOF/YCF funding will be allocated through the following:

Keyfund

If you are a young person, then you can be at the forefront of this initiative. Keyfund provides a great opportunity to learn new skills as well as get money to do things that you want to do.

To qualify you must be a group (3 or more), and your idea will need to meet some simple conditions.

For more information about how Keyfund works please see the Keyfund downloads below, or visit keyfund.org.uk and keyfundworld.

If you would like to find a Keyfund facilitator in your area please check the 'Keyfund facilitators' download below, or contact James Parkes using the details shown below.

Youth councils

There are currently 18 developing youth councils in North Yorkshire. Each one has been given funds to distribute within their area. To find out if you are eligible to apply please contact James Parkes or your nearest youth council, contacts below. To see the guidance issued to youth councils please see the download below.

Targeted groups

Conditions attached to the funds make it clear that we must target support to vulnerable groups. Some funding has been allocated through specialist providers to support young people with a disability or learning difficulty; young people who are looked after or leaving care; young parents; and young people within the youth justice system.

Useful downloads What is Keyfund? [278kb] Keyfund offers a structured and resourced model to engage and develop disadvantaged young people. The 12 Keyfund skills [301kb] The 12 Keyfund skills have been specially chosen to help young people focus on core attributes which they will not only develop as they work on their projects, but will also help them achieve their goals and succeed in their transitions to adult life. What is a facilitator? [286kb] A facilitator can be anyone working with young people from teachers to youth workers. They work alongside Keyfund to deliver support and help young people to get their Keyfund project up and running. Keyfund information update [81kb] North Yorkshire County Council Keyfund & Keyfund Plus updated information. Keyfund facilitator list 15 March [188kb] List of Keyfund facilitators Guidance for youth councils grants [212kb] This guidance is designed to inform youth councils on the process that they must undertake to allocate funds.   Related Pages Youth councils Weblinks Please note: All external websites open in a new browser window. North Yorkshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites. Gimi North Yorkshire County Council's web site for young people. Keyfund Keyfund provides young people with the opportunity to develop the skills, confidence and self awareness needed to better reach their potential and play a positive role in their community. Keyfundworld Keyfund is a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn useful skills by doing activities that they actually want to do. Contacts Senior youth officer, North paul.carswell@northyorks.gov.u... Tel: 01609 533412 Full details for Senior youth officer, North Youth council and Keyfund coordinator james.parkes@northyorks.gov.uk Tel:  01609 533932 Full details for Youth council and Keyfund coordinator Deputy finance/admin support officer - 4Youth service dawn.molyneux@northyorks.gov.u... Tel: 01609 532436 Full details for Deputy finance/admin support officer - 4Youth service Mid Craven youth council Lisa.Davies-Varnier@northyorks... Tel: 01609 533953 Full details for Mid Craven youth council Harrogate youth council Julie.Spink@northyorks.gov.uk Full details for Harrogate youth council Boroughbridge youth council Vicki.Lever@northyorks.gov.uk Tel: 01609 533933 Full details for Boroughbridge youth council Ripon youth council Stefanie.Pickard@northyorks.go... Tel: 01609 533935 Full details for Ripon youth council Knaresborough youth council Lauren.rogerson@northyorks.gov... Full details for Knaresborough youth council Nidderdale youth council Elsie.Whittington@northyorks.g... Full details for Nidderdale youth council Selby district youth council Alexandra.Tunningley@northyork... Tel: 0845 3002416 Full details for Selby district youth council Richmondshire youth council Dawn.Brown@northyorks.gov.uk Tel: 01609 534044 Full details for Richmondshire youth council Richmondshire youth council Edwina.anderson@Richmondshire.... Full details for Richmondshire youth council Northallerton youth council Tel: 01609 798064 Full details for Northallerton youth council Thirsk youth council clare@nyy.org.uk Tel: 01845 587932 Full details for Thirsk youth council Easingwold youth council Amanda.Gledhill@northyorks.gov... Tel: 01347 822226 Full details for Easingwold youth council Ryedale youth council libby.pearson@northyorks.gov.u... Full details for Ryedale youth council Ryedale youth council Richard.Claydon@northyorks.gov... Full details for Ryedale youth council Scarborough youth council Chris.Major@northyorks.gov.uk Tel: 01609 537117 Full details for Scarborough youth council Scarborough youth council Jenny.Stamford@northyorks.gov.... Tel: 01609 538759 Full details for Scarborough youth council Filey youth council Dawn.Davis@northyorks.gov.uk Tel: 01723 512651 Full details for Filey youth council Whitby youth council gemma.ryan@scarborough.gov.uk Tel: 01723 383564 Full details for Whitby youth council Pickering youth council Julie.Stonehouse@northyorks.go... Tel: 01609 798942 Full details for Pickering youth council