New opportunity for young people to make a positive impact in their community

The Fermanagh Trust is recruiting local young people aged 16-25 to take part in it’s Grant Maker Apprentice Programme – a unique youth led initiative which sees young people becoming grant makers, having active involvement in the planning, awarding money to local projects and addressing what they  believe are the key needs for Fermanagh’s young people.

 

 

With over 20 years experience in managing various funds, the Fermanagh Trust is now handing over the reins to young people in order to develop leadership, build capacity among the young grant makers and create opportunities for local groups to receive funding and engage in community action. As a result of participating in the 6 month programme apprentices will develop a wide variety of skills and experience which will increase confidence, improve employability and provide the opportunity to become an active member of an existing Community Board.

The process involves identifying where funding should go, creating application procedures and criteria, undertake publicity work, interview applicants, write reports to assist decision making and follow up to learn what has or has not worked. Previous youth led programmes by the Fermanagh Trust have successfully awarded £1000s to a number of local innovative projects, making a difference and empowering young people.

Lauri McCusker, Director of the Fermanagh Trust said “This is a chance to learn new skills, have fun and make a difference in your community. If you’re aged 16-25 in Fermanagh, have the enthusiasm to become a future leader or want something unique to put on your CV/ Uni application do get in touch with us because this programme will give the opportunity to address issues and concerns of direct importance to you.”

The young apprentices will work with others to gain the knowledge and tools required for identifying issues or concerns in their community, researching, negotiating priorities and ultimately working as a team to make a positive and meaningful contribution.

The Grant Maker Apprentice Programme will commence November 2020 and end in March 2021, meeting once a week in Fermanagh House, Enniskillen / online. Closing date for those who would like to join the programme: 12pm Friday 23rd October 2020.

For more information or to apply to join the programme CLICK HERE E: sonya@fermanaghtrust.org / Tel: 028 66 320 210

The Grant Maker Apprentice Programme is part of a wider £500,000 investment from The National Lottery Community Fund into a major project to identify and develop leaders, to help secure a positive future for the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Northern Ireland.

Fermanagh Trust in partnership with Holywell Trust in Derry/Londonderry and the Rural Community Network a regional support organisation that is based in Cookstown, is delivering ‘Community Leadership in the West,’ an ambitious five-year project which includes new and specific qualifications that support the next generation of leaders, to build their capacity to respond and react confidently to the challenges they face and give them the skills they need to make sure community voices are heard when working with statutory organisations.