_{INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND}

Connect Youth, as part of the British Council, and in agreement with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, helps to promote different kinds of youth and youth work activities which are not necessarily covered by the European YOUTH Programme.

The Key element is to add value to youth work programmes and to benefit young people aged 15-25. These special projects incorporate activities such as Actions 1-2-5, as currently defined in the European YOUTH programme.

These activities are carried out within the framework of non-formal education. They are not part of a formal educational curriculum. Nevertheless, they are distinguished by a detailed work programme which offers personal and social education.

OBJECTIVES – PRIORITY THEMES – PROJECT FORMATS

The overall objectives and aims of these Special Projects ought to reflect the current British Council’s strategy which is about building stronger global relationships, whilst helping to design and deliver high quality activities and products to more people.

Objectives

It is essential that project promoters specify in the application the innovative elements they intend to introduce. Standard activities of organisations, network development and business meetings are not supported through this programme.

The projects must have a clear trans-national dimension and contribute to international co-operation in youth matters. More specifically, they must lead to the creation and/or consolidation of strong partnerships between youth organisations or partnerships between youth organisations and public bodies.

The projects must have detailed aims and objectives and comprehensive programme/work-plan, detailing aims, objectives, methods and learning outcomes. A brief outline of programmes will not be sufficient

Priority themes

Cultural diversity and tolerance: projects promoting cultural diversity and tolerance and addressing non-violent conflict transformation by facilitating dialogue and joint activities of young people from multicultural, multiethnic and multi-faith backgrounds;

Less favoured regions: projects aiming at the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities who face multiple obstacles in geographical (e.g. deprived urban areas, isolated rural areas). Projects need to address how young people can deal with issues of concern to them (participation, decision-making, education and training, employment, housing …). They should lead to an increase in self-confidence, new skills and competencies and have a positive impact on the young persons’ educational, or professional, pathway.

Innovation in youth work: Projects aimed at developing and implementing innovative methods of youth work. Innovative aspects may, for example, concern content and objectives, working methods, the involvement of partners from different backgrounds, or the dissemination of information;

Projects-Formats-Contracts

Special Projects can be funded up to a maximum of £10,000. We are not looking for large scale projects. The criteria for making the payments are exactly similar to International Youth Exchanges. All funding will be attached to a contract and the scheme will work on a contractual basis.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applicants must demonstrate the trans-national nature of the project by submitting letters of support from partner organisations confirming their participation. Original signatures are required.

Eligible activities

Non eligible activities are

Profit making activities; activities carried out as part of formal education curriculum; personal and professional development; international business meetings; large scale festivals such as summer-schools, Jamborees or supporting infrastructure or equipment; training, consultancy or advisory fees.

Eligible proposals

Only proposals submitted using the official application form, completed in full, duly signed and posted by the stipulated deadline, will be considered.

AWARD CRITERIA

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The British Council (UK) Connect Youth manage the assessment of applications. The grant panels at the British Council meet three times a year, approximately five-six weeks after the Special Projects deadlines for submission of applications.

The selection panel representatives comprise of at least two Connect Youth Managers plus a member of our regional network with knowledge of Youth and Community work in UK .

In all cases applications are assessed individually in accordance to the priorities of the Special Projects Programme, these include:

Deadlines

Annually, there are five different deadlines when to submit your application form: 1st February, 1st April, 1st June, 1st September and 1st November