The Youth Challenge Competition announced by the Chancellor in the last Budget (YPN, 29 March-4 April, p3), will comprise local celebrations and a national event at the start of next year.
Local authorities will be given 6,000 to reward projects at a local level, with each council putting forward a nomination for the national competition. Around 15 national winners will receive prizes between 450,000 and 550,000.
According to the Department for Education and Skills, the prizes will enable the winners to replicate their innovative approach to assist other local young people. No direct payment will be made to them, however.
Maurice Kirby, senior youth development officer at Telford and Wrekin Council, which has set up a panel of 22 young people to disseminate the Youth Opportunity Fund, said: "I like the idea of celebrating and promoting the achievements of young voluntary groups and giving them a profile, but my concern is they may not have the capacity or motivation to replicate their projects on a larger scale. It may be asking too much for some voluntary groups."
Youth minister Beverley Hughes, will be invited to present the awards at the national celebration event.
The Government is seeking an organisation to help manage the competition.
The successful tender will be expected to include young people, particularly the disadvantaged, in the development process of the competition.
