What is the Hackney Youth Opportunity Fund?

The Hackney Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) is funding offered by Hackney Council to provide young people with “more things to do and places to go”. This is a chance for you to decide what types of activities YOU think young people will enjoy and learn from.

Who runs it?

The fund is managed by a group of young people in Hackney who have been trained as grant makers. The group will meet to consider and discuss your application and decide on how the fund will be given out. This group has agreed a list of criteria to help make those decisions.

What does the panel fund?

The Hackney Youth Opportunity Fund can be used to support projects and activities. This can include arts and media projects, expeditions, residentials, events, volunteering, sports, self-defence or to support the delivery of educational workshops.

How much can you apply for?

The limit you can apply for is £5000. This is to ensure the Fund is allocated to as many projects and groups as possible. However, your project cost may be higher if you can show you have funding from another organisation.

Are there any guidelines to help me fill out the forms?

Yes, before you write your application, please read them carefully. Please remember that the panel will be assessing the application on the strength of the information you supply.

Download the Application Form, Application Form Notes and Guidance Notes.

How do I apply for the grant?

We suggest you first read the guidelines and talk your idea through with your Youth Worker, Teacher or your Parent/Carer and identify someone from an organisation to support your application. Once you have filled in your application, use your checklist to make sure you have answered all the questions, sign and date it, and then post it to:

Tom Sheppard
Hackney Youth Opportunity Fund
Young Hackney
Hackney Service Centre
1 Hillman Street
London
E8 1DY

Or email it to: tom.sheppard@hackney.gov.uk

You will also be asked to meet with the Panel for a short interview. At the interview, the Panel may ask you to give some extra information about the project, or discuss changing some parts of the project.

Where can I get advice about applying for the grant?

If you have any questions about filling in the application form, or would like to talk to someone about your project, call Young Hackney on 0208 356 7650 or email your question to tom.sheppard@hackney.gov.uk

Funding deadlines

Find out more about how to apply...

Members of the Hackney YOF Panel will be putting on workshops for young people so you can find out about the dos and don'ts of applying for the fund, as well as some tips about doing project plans and risk assessments.

The workshops will take place at Young Hackney Forest Road, 29 Forest Road, E8 3BY on Wednesday 27 March. If you would like to attend a workshop, please email jemilea.wisdom@hackney.gov.uk and state which workshop you would like to attend:

• How to write the perfect application
• Become a YOF Panel member

There will also be a workshop covering safeguarding and risk assessments, which will take place in the Education Room, CLR James Library, Dalston Square, E8 3BQ on the same day. These workshops will be for supporting organisations:

• Hackney YOF Safeguarding: writing a good policy, putting it into practice
• Writing effective risk assessments

If you would like to attend this workshop, then please email: tom.sheppard@hackney.gov.uk