Voluntary and community sector receives £9m boost

New arrangements will make £9 million available to the voluntary and community sector for projects supporting children and young people.

Support from the Children's Fund will enable the voluntary and community sector to apply for financial assistance for projects that will improve the life chances of vulnerable children and young people.

Inviting the voluntary and community sector to submit bids for funding, Minister of Finance and Personnel, Dr Seán Farren, said: "The Executive recognises the valuable and important contribution which the voluntary and community sector already makes in supporting children and young people. The Children's Fund provides a means by which that contribution can be enhanced and supported."

The importance of the role of the voluntary and community sector was also highlighted by Mr Denis Haughey MLA and Mr James Leslie MLA, Ministers in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

Mr Leslie said the Executive's decision to open the Children's Fund to bids from the voluntary and community sector demonstrated the commitment to working in partnership to deliver progress in an area that was important. He said: "There is a wealth of experience within the sector and a real understanding of many of the key challenges that we need to address. With the resources available through the Children's Fund, we can harness this expertise and together provide greater support to the most vulnerable children."

Mr Haughey said he wanted to see a better and brighter future for all children and he said that the Children's Fund provides an exciting opportunity for us to put more 'building blocks' in place to support our most vulnerable young people.

The closing date for receipt of bids for funding is 13 September 2002.

The Children's Fund is one of the five Executive Programme Funds created by the Executive to support its Programme for Government and provides additional resources, over and above those already provided by mainstream programmes to support children in need and young people at risk.

The funding is targeted at children and young people under 18 years and at young people leaving care up to the age of 21, and for those aged up to 25 for youth service projects.

(SP)