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.’ Young people will be active in the researching, planning, development and administration a Fund which will address their priorities for investment in the Fermanagh area. Young people will work as a team to negotiate, promote and develop the systems and processes necessary to provide funding to local projects addressing what they believe are the key needs of young people in their community.

With over 20 years’ experience in managing various funds, the Fermanagh Trust is 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 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. Last year’s young grant makers 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.”

Lauri added “Our last team of young grant makers clearly benefitted hugely from the programme. Ultimately, thanks to their involvement they provided local projects with much needed funding.  This is why we are running this programme, to invest in our future community leaders, rather than simply give the money out ourselves - listen to the young people, because they are the experts, they know what issues need addressing, we need to assist them to use their voice and influence decisions which affect them, we need to empower them to lead and shape change for themselves and future generations. We’re very much looking forward to working with a new team soon.”

The Grant Maker Apprentice Programme will commence November 2021 and end April 2022 , meeting once a week in Fermanagh House, Enniskillen / online. Closing date for those who would like to join the programme: Monday 11th October 2021.

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.