Young people can now tap on the new Young ChangeMakers (YCM) scheme to initiate and implement changes in the community they live in.  This new initiative will provide funding to informal youth groups and individuals between the ages of 13-35 years who are keen to implement one-off community projects. 

2                   Speaking at the 5^th ITE Seminar today, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, urged youths to use this new initiative to pursue their passion to do something for the community.

3                   He said, “Young people have many ideas and boundless energy, but sometimes face difficulty raising money to implement these plans.  The Young ChangeMakers grant can help.  If you know of an issue or a gap in the community that you are concerned about, get together with a few of your friends, or on your own, share with us your ideas and apply for the funds. Together, we can improve the community that we live in.”

4                   The Young ChangeMakers scheme will provide seed funding of up to 80% of the project cost, or $3,000, whichever is lower.  MCYS has set aside about S$370,000 for the scheme for this year and is prepared to raise the amount in future should the youth have more project ideas that would require funding.   In addition, the grant is bundled with non-monetary support.  Youth volunteers who have had extensive experience from implementing their own community projects will provide guidance to each project team. 

5                   Grant decisions will be made by a panel of youth aged 15-30 years old.  Peer review by these young people will be used to determine which projects receive funding support.

6                   The inaugural youth panel comprises 20 young people who are active youth volunteers and leaders from youth groups, community-based organisations and public consultation processes.  

7                 The panel will be co-chaired by two youth community leaders, Dr Benedict Tan Chi’-Loong, PBM, BBM (Head and Consultant Sports Physician, Changi Sports Medicine Centre, Changi General Hospital and Council Member, 8^th National Youth Council) and Mr Goh Kim Hua (Youth Division Leader, Singapore SOKA Association and Council Member, 8^th National Youth Council). 

8                   The Young ChangeMakers scheme was first announced by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan during the Committee of Supply Debate this year.  It was launched on 1 August 2005.  More information on the scheme can be found in accompanying Annex. 

9                   Youth who are interested in applying for funding under YCM can visit the YCM website at www.changemakers.youth.sg or they can contact Mr Yap Keng Hwee of National Youth Council at 6839 9143 or email YAP_Keng_Hwee@pa.gov.sg.

Issued by:

Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.  

For further information, please contact:

Media Liaison Officer

                                    Mr Feisal Abdul Rahman

                                    Manager (Community and International Relations), MCYS

                                    Tel: 6354 8147

                                    Fax: 62588605

                                    Email: feisal_abdul_rahman@mcys.gov.sg

Project Officer

Mr Yap Keng Hwee

Acting Head (Young ChangeMakers)

National Youth Council

Tel: 6839 9143

Fax: 6735 4568

Email: YAP_Keng_Hwee@pa.gov.sg

ANNEX

YOUNG CHANGEMAKERS GRANT

Fact Sheet

Are you surrounded by young people who have lots of great ideas for their community, but have yet to take any action to implement them?  Do you know people who have a passion to do something that will make a difference to their local community? 

Sometimes, you just wish you had the extra pair of hands and even the funds to see these young people translate their passion into actions and act on their ideas for the benefit of the community. The following few paragraphs may just provide the answers you have been searching for.

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Young ChangeMakers (YCM)

Whether you are 13 or 35 years old, you can apply for the Young ChangeMakers (YCM) scheme, a new initiative that provides individuals or informal youth groups with seed funding to implement projects for the benefit of their local community. With the YCM, young people can realise the ideas they have always had for their community.

Wait, there’s more! Other than seed funding, the YCM provides further support for youths in terms of peer mentorship from a panel of youths, chosen from a pool of active youth volunteers and leaders from youth groups, community-based organisations and public consultation processes.

So, what are the goodies in the YCM bag?

Seed Funding

The YCM will provide seed funding of up to 80% of project cost or $3,000, whichever is lower.  This fund can then be used to implement a short-term community project, lasting not longer than three months.

Benefit: Youths who are busy with their school work or young working adults below the age of 35 years old could implement short-term one-off projects of their choice.  The funds would enable the youths to conceptualise and actualise their projects.

Mentorship and Guidance

Benefit: Applicants with less experience will be hand-held through their first few projects to gain hands-on experience from their more experienced peers.  This would allow all youths to initiate community projects with greater ease.

The YCM youth panellists will act as mentors to guide the youths from project conceptualisation to implementation. Once the proposal has been approved, a mentor will be attached to the individual/ informal youth groups to see the project through.

Experience and Exposure

Benefit: By giving the youths ownership over their own projects, these short-term community projects could be the window of many learning opportunities for youths, as they go from conceptualisation to execution, and progress from simple projects to more complex ones.

The YCM is a unique programme that develops youth as leaders, project managers, social entrepreneurs and communication specialists, as they obtain experience in their own community projects and hone their skills in project management, leadership, time and resource management and effective communication, among many others.

Types of Community Projects allowed under Young ChangeMakers

Young ChangeMakers encourages young people to initiate projects that benefit the local community and society at large.  Projects can range from action programmes for the community to public awareness programmes to educate and inform the public on certain issues of concern.

Examples of projects which are eligible for funding are given below.  However, these are purely examples and youth are encouraged to surface different and creative ideas for consideration by the youth panellists.