Young people in the borough have been given more than £500,000 to spend on things they want to do, and developing places they want to use. From September 2006 groups of young people will be able to bid for money for projects, activities and equipment, and it will be other local young people who decide if they get the money.

Hounslow Borough has been allocated £256,767 from the Youth Opportunities Fund and the Youth Capital Fund for this year and will receive a similar amount for the next year for projects that will provide opportunities for young people to develop confidence, knowledge and skills.

Groups of young people between 13 and 19 years old can apply for money for organised activities that offer real benefits to those taking part.

A panel of 15 young people made up from a wide variety of members of youth groups, from schools and organisations across the borough will decide if the grant is successful.

Emily, aged 14, who was part of the interim youth council panel that made decisions for summer funds, said “I think being involved in a panel like this is really rewarding. You get to make sure that young people get money to do things they really want to do. Young people who deserve to do something they can't usually get to do, get that opportunity - and they learn something too!”

The panel was elected from a group of more than sixty local young people who were invited to Twickenham stadium on 23 June to decide on the criteria used to give the grants.

To stand a chance of getting funding, bids should be good value for money, offer a worthwhile experience for the young people, be organised and well run, and have a named adult who will be responsible for young people’s safety and risk assessments.

Application packs for the next round of funding will be available from the Hounslow Youth Service from the 12th July 2006 and the deadline for the first round of funds is Thursday 7th September, and you can find out more by contacting Becca or Cath on 020 8583 2947, or email Cath.Lowther@hounslow.gov.uk.

For more information on the Youth Opportunities Fund and the Youth Capital Fund visit www.dfes.gov.uk