What is Young Roots?
Young Roots is the Heritage Lottery Fund’s grant programme dedicated to young people. Run in partnership with YouthLink Scotland, the scheme puts young people firmly in the project driving seat.
The Young Roots scheme is targeted at young people between 13-20 years of age and offers grants of between £5,000 and £25,000.
Young Roots projects stem directly from young people’s interests, harnessing your creativity and energy and helping you to become active members in your community. You can decide what you want to explore and celebrate about your heritage and plan your own projects and activities.
Through Young Roots the Heritage Lottery Fund has supported a diverse variety of projects which have included:
- Plays based on historical events.
- Conservation of the environment, wildlife and habitats.
- Interpretations of historical themes through radio, film, DVD and websites.
- Research and workshops with museums, archives and collections.
Is Young Roots the grant scheme for your Heritage Project?
1. Will the majority of your participants be aged between 13 and 20?
This programme is designed for organisations that work with young people aged 13 to 20 (or 13 to 25 for young people with additional support needs).
2. Is your project linked to the varied heritage of the UK?
Your project needs to be related to the local and culturally varied heritage of the UK. For example, it could involve: young people researching a local archive; doing practical conservation work on a nature reserve; taking part in a re-enactment or learning traditional skills.
3. Will your project be directed and owned by young people themselves?
The fund will only give grants to projects where young people are consulted and empowered to lead the project through and decide on its activities.
4. Will your project be delivered through a partnership?
Young Roots must be delivered in partnership. Youth groups must work with at least one heritage partner to deliver the project (e.g. your local wildlife trust
or museum). Heritage organisations must work with at least one youth group.
5. Does your project promote involvement in heritage for a wide range of young people, especially those who have not been involved in heritage before?
Projects should promote social inclusion and equal opportunities by involving a wide range of young people of different abilities and cultural backgrounds, to promote appreciation of the value of heritage to the widest possible audience.
6. Will your project increase opportunities for young people to learn about heritage?
Projects should involve young people in activities which help them learn more about their own or other people's heritage, to encourage projects that enable young people to explore and develop their own views about heritage.
7. Is your grant request between £5,000 and £25,000?
The fund does not give grants of less than £5,000 or more than £25,000 under this programme. The Heritage Lottery Fund expect organisations to contribute something from other sources to their Young Roots project either cash or in-kind. Please note that your total project should not cost more than £50,000 or last longer than 18 months.
If you have answered yes to all the questions, your project could receive a grant!
For further information and advice contact Development Team at Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland Office, phone 0131-225-9450 or email scotland@hlf.org.uk