V announces new match funding scheme

Monday, 09, Jun 2008 12:00

v, the volunteering organisation, has re-shaped its Match Fund to attract new project ideas from the third sector and private funders. The ambition is to create more compelling volunteering opportunities for 16 to 25 year olds in England, which respond to key social issues including health, the environment and community cohesion.

The v Match Fund allows funds raised from the private sector to be matched by the Government. Due to the growing popularity of the Match Fund scheme, applications will now go through a competitive process, to ensure equitable distributions of funds, with an increased focus on quality and innovation. Only the cream of the project submissions will be funded.

Available from 10 June 2008, up to £15 million of funding will be available with two application deadlines:

- 29th August 2008 - for projects beginning in January 2009

- 31st October 2008 - for projects beginning in April 2009

Previously, the Match Fund was a continuous process, receiving over 200 applications, of which 126 volunteering projects have been funded and £23 million invested generating over 175,000 volunteering opportunities for 16 to 25s.

The new Match Fund has six categories to focus funding on community needs that will attract 16 to 25s to volunteer in ways which will provide maximum benefit to the community. The categories for projects are:

- Community cohesion

- Environment

- Health

- Human Rights

- Supporting children and young people

- Poverty

Terry Ryall, Chief Executive of v said: “The v Match Fund has been phenomenally popular and we’ve been delighted with the volunteering opportunities created so far. This new process will raise the bar and help to ensure that only the very best projects get funding to delivering local communities across England. We’re committed to ensuring that the opportunities really resonate with 16 to 25 year olds, getting them excited about the amazing experiences offered through volunteering.”

Applications can be made by visiting www.wearev.com/matchfund.

v is also developing a Match Fund flagship investment programme which will launch later in the year. This will continue to maximise the impact of corporate sector partnerships by directly supporting third sector organisations to deliver highly innovative volunteering opportunities, which reflect young people's cares, passions and interests.

[Ends]

Media enquiries: contact Emily May on 020 7960 7042 or email emily.may@wearev.com

Notes to editor:

• v is the youth volunteering organisation launched in May 2006 whose mission is to inspire a new generation of young volunteers in England aged 16-25. v is supported by the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office.

• The registered charity was set up to implement the recommendations of the Russell Commission outlining a new national framework for youth action and engagement, following a nationwide consultation which included 6000 young people.

• v is led by the cares, interests, passions and beliefs of young people. A Youth Advisory Board made up of twenty young people called v20 is involved in all aspects of the charity’s work. Four members of v20 sit on v’s Board of Trustees.

• v works with and builds upon the current voluntary sector infrastructure, funds the creation of volunteering opportunities through grants rounds and implements programmes to create awareness and positive understanding of volunteering for young people. For more information on v, visit www.wearev.com