This programme is closed for applications
Bridging the Gap has £6 million available to support projects in Wales that will achieve at least two of the aims of the Young People's Fund. Applicants should achieve these aims by developing outreach and support services for young people, aged between 10 and 19 years old, who have become disaffected and disengaged from society. They should assess the young people's needs, support them in accessing services and encourage them to re-engage in constructive activities that will help to turn their lives around.
Applicants should be able to build good relations with the young people they are trying to help and should also be able to work effectively with the statutory, private and voluntary sector agencies that can give the help the young people need.
The programme focuses on developing this type of outreach and support service where it does not exist or is severely underdeveloped, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
The maximum grant is £1million for up to five years and we expect to fund between six to 15 projects. Grants will be mostly revenue funding for staff, set up and running costs, activities and materials. Some funding is available for small pieces of equipment and basic refurbishment work associated with running the project.
The application process consists of a proposal phase to select the best and most strategic projects and a full application phase where applicants develop their projects and write a project plan.
We will make grants to voluntary, community, public sector and private organisations, either applying individually or in partnership. Projects can serve a single geographical area or do similar work in several areas. An area may cover a small community such as a housing estate or extend across several local authorities.
We expect applicants to consult with the Children and Young People's Framework Partnership, and the Children's Partnership or the Young People's Partnership for the area to confirm that the project is needed and that it is additional to existing or planned local services. They must show how young people have been involved in planning the project and will be involved in its running and evaluation.