Apply for �5,000 from Hackney Council fund for youth events

Hackney’s young people can apply for up to �5,000 to plan, promote and put on events and activities for their peers through a Youth Opportunity Fund.

From comedy jams to musical collectives, the government fund supported many youth-led projects over the past three years, but funding came to an end this March.

But Hackney Council’s Youth Services have set aside �200,000 to continue the programme for another year, as a core element of the soon-to-be-launched Young Hackney service.

The council believes the activities teach the 11-19 year olds skills that will are invaluable in later life, from writing successful applications, to creating effective teams and managing a sizeable budget.

Projects last year included an International Women’s Day event run by the Young Women’s Group, the formation of a Steel Pan Orchestra at Young Hackney Stoke Newington Centre, and a special event to celebrate the diversity of Hackney and the lives of unsung heroes from the past at Bridge Academy in January.

Young people can apply for funding in groups of three or more, with a project leader who should be between 13 - 19 years, and each project must also be supported by an adult project leader connected to a charity or community organisation.

For more information see www.younghackney.org