Funding focus: Local Network Fund

Its continuing aim is to support small voluntary groups to improve outcomes and opportunities for vulnerable young people up to the age of 19, or 25 for those with learning difficulties.

What will it fund? The fund will supply revenue or capital funding to support activities under the Every Child Matters priorities. So examples might be: being healthy - projects or activities that promote a healthy lifestyle such as sports sessions, healthy eating classes or peer support programmes on drug misuse; staying safe - activities that protect young people from harm or promote independence such as anti-bullying projects, safe cycling groups or self-defence groups; enjoying and achieving - projects that help children and young people maximise their potential and develop skills for adulthood, such as theatre groups, self-advocacy skills programmes and cultural dance and music projects; making a positive contribution - projects to enhance the lives of young people and their communities, such as conservation schemes, recycling programmes and mentoring projects; and achieving economic wellbeing - projects that help overcome financial barriers and help young people meet their potential, such as preparation for work and training or financial literacy work.