The Big Lottery Fund, on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), is currently looking to fund innovative projects to deliver myplace – a government scheme to provide first-class youth facilities driven by what young people want and need.

£190 million is available over the next three years to transform local services and deliver exciting youth facilities.

Anne Longfield: Chief Executive of 4Children, says about the initiative: "The launch of myplace is a major step forward in delivering the Government’s Aiming High for Young People strategy to provide opportunities and safes place to go for young people. Last year, 4Children consulted 16,000 young people and having more safe and exciting places to go emerged as a top concern. Research also shows that children and their parents benefit most when the services and support they receive are joined up, co-ordinated and working together. myplace is a fantastic opportunity to deliver joined up activities and support, it will deliver exactly the kind of centre that young people and their parents need."

Guidlines for applying
Projects wishing to apply must show that they are able to deliver safe places and positive activities for young people through partnership work with the public, private and community sectors. They must be able to offer access to information, advice and guidance in places where young people feel comfortable.

Projects will also need to demonstrate that young people, particularly disadvantaged young people, are actively involved in developing and planning the project.

How to apply
The first round is now closed. A second funding round is expected to open in early 2009 to commit a further £30m, plus any surplus from the first round. A review of the first year will determine the focus for the second funding round. Click here to read more on the Big Lottery Fund’s website!