# New panel of young people to make funding decisions

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/10/10/new-panel-of-young-people-to-make-funding-decisions/
- Published: 2018-10-10T07:45:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**A new judging panel made up of 13-24 year olds will take decisions on the funding
of young people’s projects throughout the Derry City and Strabane District Council
area.**

Council and the Big Lottery Fund have come together and are investing £100,000 in
the new ‘[Change Something](http://www.derrystrabane.com/changesomething)‘ project
in the run up to ‘Youth 19’ – a year dedicated to young people in the North West.

The ‘Change Something Fund’ – delivered by the Community Foundation for Northern
Ireland through the Acorn Fund – is one of a series of opportunities for young people
to bring their hopes and aspirations to life during Youth 19.

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A total of **£100,000 is available** in the fund where **grants from £500 to £3,000**
will be available to young people aged 13-24 who submit applications. ‘Change Something’
activities can be any project or initiative that is important to young people and
will make a difference in their local community.

After training, the first of two open calls for funding applications will be made
by the panel for young people aged 13-24 throughout the city and district to apply
for grants.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, **Cllr John Boyle** said:

> “This is a very worthwhile project which is allowing young people to take a lead
> role in bringing positive change to their community. Indeed, it not only offers
> valuable experience to the young people who have been selected to manage and judge
> the fund – but will also allow young people throughout the city and district to
> take ownership of Youth 19 by turning their proposals into reality.”

**Joanne McDowell**, Big Lottery Fund NI Director, said:

> “We’re already putting people in the lead in communities across Northern Ireland,
> and the Change Something Fund allows us to do that with young people in the North
> West. Real change happens when people have a say in the decisions affecting their
> lives. We’re really excited to see how National Lottery funding will support young
> people to be the change they want to see in their communities.”

 * **[Home Office seeks proposals for running £200 million Youth Endowment Fund](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/10/25/home-office-seeks-proposals-running-200m-youth-endowment-fund/)**(
   25 October 2018)
 * **[Co-op Foundation seeks organisations for youth services contracts](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/11/13/co-op-foundation-seeks-organisations-youth-services-contracts/)**(
   13 November 2018)
 * **[Minister announces new capital funding for early years](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/02/04/minister-announces-new-capital-funding-early-years/)**(
   4 February 2019)