Fermanagh Youth Bank

14 local apprentices are once again becoming grant makers and distributing funds to small scale community projects. There is still time to get an application in. Closing date is noon 7th May.

 

Members have undertaken research and identified the key priorities for Fermanagh’s young people. They are inviting applications from individuals or groups, aged 11-15, for projects involving mental health, LGBT, enterprise and cross-community.

If you’ve ever wanted to do something about an issue that affects young people in your local community or if you have an idea for an activity or project that will make a difference for others, contact youth.bank@yahoo.com for your application.

The Fermanagh Trust established Youth Bank in 2009, working in partnership with Youth Action NI to build leadership, allocate resources to youth based initiatives, meet real community need and tackle issues of direct importance to Fermanagh’s young people. The Youth Bank members become the grant makers, with direct involvement in planning and decision making.

Last years the team awarded grants to five innovative and important projects totally £5000. Working together, with the support of the Fermanagh Trust, they established priorities and criteria, assessed applications and made tough decisions in order to support local youth groups to help build community relations, develop positive mental health and enable young people with disabilities to compete in sporting activities. Youth Bank hope to reach even more young people this year.

Dwayne Lyons, Chair of Fermanagh Youth Bank said “This is such an exciting concept and the reason it works is because it is grant making by young people for young people. We’re looking forward to getting the applications in and I’m sure we are going to see a number of great ideas to help make a difference.”

Lauri McCusker, Director of the Fermanagh Trust added “We are delighted to once again support Youth Bank. This is a great opportunity for these young people to develop a range of skills and experience and of course help make a positive impact within Fermanagh. What’s great is that this is a youth led initiative. They are the grant makers, they have active involvement in the programme, the planning and addressing the key needs for Fermanagh’s young people.”