YOUNG people in East Devon now have a chance to benefit from the Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital Funds up until at least 2011.

YOUNG people in East Devon now have a chance to benefit from the Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital Funds up until at least 2011.

The Funds, worth more than �600,000, provide revenue and capital to be spent on activities and youth facilities that will benefit youngsters between the ages of 13 and 19 who live in Devon. The activities, events or campaigns should be related to a local need and must benefit groups of young people rather than individuals.

Devon County Council's Youth Service, who are administering the Funds, are particularly interested in projects which help those who are disadvantaged by prejudice, isolation or lack of access to facilities.

By March last year, 11/2 million young people nationally had participated in or benefited from the use of the Funds. And now is the chance for young people living in East Devon to make a bid for some of the 2009/10 funding.

So, if they want to start a youth centre or increase an existing centre's opening times, or perhaps they want to employ a specialist coach for their sports team, then the Youth Opportunity Fund is the place to go.

Alternatively, if they want help in building or improving a skate park or to buy a mobile youth centre to enable them to offer services to young people in rural areas, then they should apply to the Youth Capital Fund.

East Devon District Council's Member Champion for Young People, Councillor Iain Chubb, said: "These Funds give young people in East Devon a voice, enabling them to apply for funds for projects of their own choice. By getting together with their friends they can make a difference to their local community and can reach others who may not be able to access the sort of facilities and opportunities they have identified.

"I urge them to get in touch with the Devon Youth Service to find out more about the opportunities that are open to them".

Dan Barton, the Area Youth Worker for East Devon, is based in Honiton and can be contacted on 01404 548735. He has already involved young people from the district in the decision making process and the distribution of money and he would be very happy to talk to anyone who is interested in learning more about these funds.