The National Youth Agency - e-youthaction August 2008

e-youthaction August 2008

12 Aug 2008
Includes Institute for Volunteering Research new research bulletin and the new Communities and Local Government has issued Communities in control: real people, real power initiative.

VOLUNTEERING

Also of interest...

v has published its annual review, highlighting examples of over 750,000 new short-term, part-time and full-time volunteering opportunities that have been created with its support.

The Institute for Volunteering Research has published a new research bulletin, ‘Monitoring volunteers: a guide to collecting and using data’, based on findings from a four-month research project.

The Commission for the Compact is to commission an investigation into the costs and benefits of engaging volunteers from under-represented groups. The findings will provide guidance on how best to support the involvement of such groups, with a particular emphasis on establishing an appropriate formula for the full costs of involvement.

THIRD SECTOR

The Office of the Third Sector has commissioned Ipsos MORI to conduct a National Survey of Third Sector Organisations. The survey will be sent to 97,000 organisations, drawn from data provided by a consortium of BMG Research and GuideStar Data Services, in September. Results from the survey will be available early in the new year and will drive change locally and nationally, by revealing local authority performance in creating an environment for a thriving third sector (National Indicator 7).

A one-day conference to discuss the future of the Compact and the Commission for the Compact is being held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Tuesday 9 September.

PARTICIPATION

Communities and Local Government has issued Communities in control: real people, real power. The White Paper address a range of issues relating to people having more power in their communities, including active citizenship and volunteering; having an influence; and ownership and control. Specific proposals relating to young people include setting up a programme for young people to shadow government ministers and other political figures, and greater access to government for young advisors.

The Ministry of Justice has launched A national framework for greater citizen engagement: A discussion paper, following on from the 2007 Governance of Britain Green Paper. The discussion paper sets out a proposed framework for greater citizen engagement, using innovative methods such as citizens' summits and juries to inform national policy-making. The deadline for responses is 1 October 2008.

Nominations are now invited for the National Council of Voluntary Youth Services’ Young Partners Award 2008. This youth led award is intended to celebrate young people's involvement in decision-making within voluntary and community organisations and projects. The deadline for nominations is Friday 19 September 2008.

Communities and Local Government has published a review of progress on the Preventing Violent Extremism: Winning Hearts and Minds action plan launched in April 2007. It includes a section on young people, which highlights the importance of volunteering in building active citizenship and recognises that more needs to be done to involve young people in ‘harder to reach’ Muslim communities.

FUNDING

The Community Development Foundation (CDF) has launched Faiths in Action on 1 August 2008 - a £4 million grants programme open to faith, inter-faith, voluntary and community organisations and groups in England. The fund aims to bring communities together, promoting positive relationships and collaborative social action between people of different religions and beliefs. The first round is now open, for grants of up to £12,000 to be spent over two years.

Mediabox is inviting applications to its Mid and Big Mediabox grants programmes, which support youth-led media projects that express young people’s ideas and views in a creative way, using their preferred media platform. Mid Mediabox offers grants of up to £20,000 while Big Mediabox offers grants of up to £40,000. The first stage application deadline is 19 August, 2.00pm.

The government has launched a £150,000 Innovation Fund, which will support charities, community groups and non-government organisations to develop new ways to help people participate in public discussions and influence government policy. Grants of up to £15,000 will be available for projects. The closing date is 26 September 2008.

CITIZEN SERVICE

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Chris Grayling has launched the Conservatives’ five-point programme to ‘unite Britain's divided cities’. These include a commitment to introduce a National Citizen Service, available to all 16-year-olds. This is intended to provide a ‘compelling and challenging programme’ to help young people achieve a sense of purpose and belonging, learn about their responsibilities in society and provide them with opportunities to engage with and address issues that are important in their local communities.

CAMPAIGNS

ITV Fixers is a campaign in the ITV Meridian, West and Thames Valley regions supporting young people aged 16 to 25 to take action that helps other people on issues they feel strongly about. The idea is that young people identify a problem, fix it and make a film about it for ITV Local. The campaign will run over the next year, with one film shown each month.

ENYAN (English National Youth Arts Network) is seeking case studies of youth led arts projects that aim to develop young people's leadership skills, aspiration and potential, to support its forthcoming campaign on ‘young arts leaders’. The four-month project is intended to result in a downloadable publication which aims to provide clarity around existing programmes and models that promote such work including volunteering, work-based learning and leadership programmes. people are encouraged. Email ENYAN to express interest in submitting a case study.

Young equals, a group of charities and young people campaigning to stop age discrimination is holding a day of action on 28 August 2008. Young people are being asked to get involved through a number of methods including collecting evidence of unfair treatment, contacting local MP’s and setting up campaign groups.