CITIZENSHIP: 500,000 on offer for participation

Margaret Hodge, minister for children and young people, announced the Consultation Fund last week. She said the money was particularly intended to extend opportunities to those who wouldn't usually take part in consultations.

It is to be administered by the Children and Young People's Unit.

Separately, the Carnegie Young People Initiative has also focused attention on youth participation by calling for a national "kitemark" standard.

David Cutler, outgoing director of the Carnegie Young People Initiative, states the case for a kitemark for youth participation in a report, Standard!, published last month.

Borrowing a methodology pioneered by Durham Investing in Children, Cutler suggests that organisations should be assessed locally by young people on just two questions: does it listen to young people, and has it changed as a result?

"There are other standards around, such as Hear by Right, or Save the Children's Charter Mark. If someone already had one of those they should automatically qualify for the kitemark," said Cutler.

A kitemark would add a visible, nationally publicised and recognised sign that the organisation has undergone a process to check how good it is at youth participation.

www.carnegie-youth.org.uk

www.cypu.gov.uk.