The Big Boost

Individual or groups of young people aged between 11 – 25 with projects ideas to benefit their local community, can apply for grants of between £250 and £5,000 through the Young People's Fund: Grants to Individuals. The projects should help young people to contribute to their community or help them to set up small businesses that also improve the economic prosperity of their communities. It is essential that young people are involved in planning and carrying out projects, particularly if they involve disadvantaged young people. The programme which is also know as the Big Boost is administered by Unltd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs, on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund's Young People's Fund programme (Grants to Individuals). There are two funding streams aimed at 11 to 16 year olds and 16 to 25 year olds respectively. For the 11 – 16 year old age group the Big Boost gives awards of between £250 and £1000. The awards are given to small groups of at least four young people (up to a maximum of 20), led by an advisor or mentor that the group chooses. For 16 – 25 year olds, the Big Boost will give awards of between £500 to £5000. The awards are given to individuals or small groups (with a maximum group size of 4). Applications can be made at any time up to the 1st November 2007 when the programme is due to close, here.