DCMS announces funding extension for youth policy development group
Fiona Simpson
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced a six-month extension of funding for Shout Out UK’s youth policy development group (YPDG).
The social enterprise, which was set up in 2015 to “fix the lack of political education in schools by bringing young people together”, launched its development group in partnership with DCMS in July 2021 with six months of funding.
Funding was later extended until September 2022 and will now run until March 2023, Shout Out UK has announced.
-
Feature: Addressing political literacy in schools
-
International spotlight: Youth participation, Azerbaijan
Writing on Twitter, the organisation said: “The rumours are true, folks.
“DCMS has extended our youth policy development group for another SIX months!”
The rumours are true, folks.
— Shout Out UK (@Shoutout_UK) July 1, 2022
@DCMS has extended our Youth Policy Development Group (YPDG) for another SIX months!
If you are interested in policy-making and working with gov ministers, why not apply to become a YPDG member? ⤵️
Apply here:https://t.co/rYID3mIeJB pic.twitter.com/z3ZdBDgL6u
The group consists of 30 young people aged 16 to 25 from a range of backgrounds from across England.
They work to “devise extensive policy briefs in specific topic areas and present these directly to government ministers” as well as benefiting from policy development training, one-to-one mentoring support and feedback.
Alongside the announcement of the funding extension, Shout Out UK has also opened applications for a further 10 positions in the group.
Kyrenia Shipillis, aged 18, told supporting organisation Young Voices Heard last month that being a part of the YPDG “has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my limited life”.
“YPDG and youth voice gives young people a chance to be heard and engage in matters that affect us. It means so much to young people out there who are afraid of what the future may bring.
“To those in power, whether you like it or not, our youth is the future of this country. They deserve to be invested in, listened to, and heard. Work with us so we can work with you,” she said.
Responding to news of the funding extension, Matteo Bergamini said: "Political literacy is both about giving young people the tools they need to understand how our democracy functions and being given the opportunity to engage directly with government and have their voice heard. Both ensure a functional democracy.
“I am honoured to continue working with DCMS to give the next generation this unique opportunity of engaging directly with government to inform and influence policy for the betterment of future generations.
”We can't wait to continue growing this immensely important project, getting more young people at the table and more stakeholders involved. We are just getting started."
James Cathcart, director of Young Voices Heard, added: “These young people have been empowered to have an equal voice and have clearly established a good working relationship with government departments. This extension and expansion of the group from 30 to 40 members is an encouraging sign that their contribution is valued and respected.
“Having been an observer of all the training sessions and roundtables I have seen young people take their place at the policy table on equal terms, and heard their views listened to with respect. So I'm delighted that their efforts have been rewarded with an extension and indeed further growth to the programme.”