PAVO Funding Surgeries

The PAVO monthly funding surgeries have been well received in the towns we have visited so far this year. They are a great opportunity for groups to come and meet us and find out about what we can offer via our funding support service, whilst talking through funding issues face to face. And here is the best bit - they are free of charge!

So, keep your eyes on the blog for the next round of dates. We hope to meet you soon.

GwirVol Street Games Grants

This new initiative is designed to help develop structured sports programmes in disadvantaged communities in Wales, by involving young people aged 16-25 as volunteers.

Project funding of up to £2,000 per project is available. As well as funding, the projects will also have access to training, support and mentoring, along with qualifications including Community Sports Leadership Awards and recognition awards such as the Millennium Volunteers Award.

The grants will help organisations to provide opportunities that will challenge young people, meet their aspirations and add value to their communities. There are no limits on the type of sports that will be supported.

Not-for-profit organisations, including community groups and sports clubs in disadvantaged communities in Wales, may apply.

For more information go to: www.gwirvol.org.uk

GwirVol International Youth Volunteering Grant

GwirVol is a Welsh partnership designed to promote, support and drive forward youth volunteering.

The 2010/11 round of GwirVol's International Youth Volunteering Grant Scheme is now open to applications. The scheme aims to support opportunities for young people aged between 16 and 25 in disadvantaged and minority communities in Wales to volunteer internationally.

Grants of up to £30,000 are available to fund a structured programme of activities. The GwirVol Partnership will support up to 80% of the total project costs.

Funded activities might include the following:

• Volunteer recruitment, eg promotional events, taster sessions and publicity.
• Volunteer development and preparation, eg training, team-building, mentoring and awareness raising.
• Volunteer participation - eg travel and subsistence, support to host communities and equipment.
• Sharing learning outcomes, eg presentation events, digital reports, website information and evaluation.

The scheme is open to non-profit distributing third sector organisations in Wales.

The closing date for applications is 24 November 2010.

For more information go to: www.gwirvol.org.uk

GwirVol Youth Volunteering Grants - 'Opportunities and Promotion'

GwirVol is a uniquely Welsh, diverse partnership between the private, public and voluntary sectors, designed to promote, support and drive forward youth volunteering initiatives.

As well as providing advisory assistance and signposting services, the partnership will deliver grants, through local grant panels of young people, to encourage youth volunteering projects in their local area.

The scheme provides 'Opportunities' project funding of up to £10,000 for activities that will deliver a wide range of new and innovative volunteering experiences for those aged 16-25. It also offers 'Promotion' project funding of up to £5,000 to encourage volunteering, through promotional events, websites, exhibitions, or visits.

Organisations from the voluntary, public and private sectors located in Wales may apply for advisory and financial support through the scheme.

The deadline for both grants is 24 November 2010.

For more information go to: www.gwirvol.org.uk

New Charity Commission Chief urges contract mentality

New Charity Commission Chief Sam Younger has said that the voluntary sector must move away from dependency on grants, and move towards a contract mentality.

To read the full article go to: http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/finance/news/content/7552/

What do you think about this article? Let us know!

People's Postcode Trust Opens New Round of Funding and Extends Eligibility Criteria

The People's Postcode Trust has announced a new round of funding and, following a substantial change to its guidelines and criteria, has additionally extended its eligibility criteria. The Trust has also extended its reach to further support interested parties in Wales.

The Trust aims to make Great Britain a better place for both people and nature and by supporting projects which operate within the following six fields of operation:

• Poverty Prevention – to prevent poverty, sickness and distress for the benefit of the general public.
• Advancement of Health – to promote, maintain, improve and advance health.
• Community Development – to advance citizenship or community development.
• Public Sports – to advance public participation in sport.
• Human Rights – to promote, improve and advance human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation.
• Environmental Protection – to promote and advance environmental protection or improvement.

Grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available in Wales, available to small organisations, community groups and charities. The following conditions apply:

• Applicants that are not formally registered as a charity with OSCR / Charity Commission can apply for up to £2,000 in funding.
• Applicants that are registered with OSCR / Charity Commission and can provide a valid charity number can apply for up to £5,000 if in Wales.

All projects must help in one or more of the above six fields of operation but could include, for example, the purchase of sports kit or uniform, new equipment or the creation of community gardens. The project has to have a clear charitable purpose, must take place between January and June 2011 and must last for no longer than three months.

Applications for projects under £2,000 can now be made at any time. Applications for those over this amount should be received by 10 November 2010 (5pm).

For more information go to: http://www.postcodetrust.org.uk/

BBC Performing Arts Fund launches Young People's Musical Theatre scheme

The BBC Performing Arts Fund has launched a new scheme that aims to encourage young people to take part in musical theatre.

The new initiative, called the Young People's Musical Theatre scheme, is offering £200,000 in grants for training and development, and particularly for projects that encourage new members or audiences. The scheme is open to non-profit theatre groups which have a youth section, or are made up of members who are under the age of 25.

Theatre groups applying should regularly put on musical theatre productions, but funding is also available for those wishing to produce a musical for the first time. Theatre companies may for example wish to work with other local groups or schools, run workshops with professionals, or apply for funding in order to hire a live band, director or choreographer.

Partners of the scheme include the Voluntary Arts Network, the Media Trust and the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA).

Theatre groups interested in applying for funding should visit the BBC Performing Arts Fund website or the Fund's facebook page, or go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/performingartsfund/ for more information.

Each application will be independently assessed.

The deadline is 30 November 2010. The winners will be announced in January 2011.