Poverty Speaks Volumes: May 2017 – October 2017 Funding opportunity

Funding is available to commission a youth organisation to work creatively (using art, drama, digital content, storytelling) with a group of young people to develop and lead their own debate about the impact of poverty, and devise solutions to reduce generational inequality.

The project will culminate in an event with decision makers and senior leaders to inform and shape future policy and strategy to improve outcomes for young people and challenge cycles of deprivation

Funding from this project has come from Young Manchester through the Webb Memorial Trust (WMT) and Wythenshawe Community Housing Group has been appointed to commission services on their behalf.

Manchester City Council is in the process of refreshing its Family Poverty Strategy and has made a commitment to engage with adults, children and young people whose life chances are most affected by poverty. This piece of work will look to create a dialogue between young people and decision makers.

WMT has a commitment to work with young people to develop a strong narrative about poverty and cycles of deprivation.

30% of children and young people in Manchester are growing up in poverty and Young Manchester is committed to reducing inequality. The project will form part of a wider needs analysis that will inform future decisions.

Grant applications must demonstrate how they will meet the following objectives:
• Objective 1: To engage with young people to capture their experiences of growing up in poverty, and to hear their solutions on how to tackle it.
• Objective 2: To produce a clear set of recommendations the group think will result in better outcomes for young people and families
• Objective 3: To produce content using a method of their choice to describe the experience of growing up in poverty and ways the cycle can be broken.
• Objective 4: To organise and run an event to share their work and findings with policy and decision makers, and their peers.

This opportunity is for voluntary, community and faith sector organisations working with young people who must be based in Manchester and/or mainly working with Manchester residents.

There is £30,000 funding available for a lead youth agency with some proven experience of running similar issue based projects, to be commissioned to work in partnership with two or three other youth providers that represent a cross section of young people growing up in Manchester.

The funding available is for revenue, delivery of services and or equipment. The funding must be spent by 30 November 2017.

To discuss your application before submitting it you can email Victoria McDowell at: [email protected].

To apply complete the attached application form and email it to: [email protected]

Deadline: Monday 8 May 2017