GwirVol Granting Wishes!

The GwirVol grants have finally arrived and applications can at long last begin. Have you ever thought about applying for a grant but were unsure if you fitted the requirements? The grants that GwirVol offer are so diverse and can be applied to a range of volunteering activities. GwirVol have grants to support sport based activities, for those who want to create more volunteering opportunities in sport within Wales. Alternatively, if you see yourself as the next Donnatella Versace then we might be able to fund your future fashion shows. You could even follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo and explore the world through volunteering with the help with one of our grants. As long as your organisation is providing innovative volunteering opportunities and encouraging youth volunteering, then financial support could be just an application form away.

What’s on Offer?

GwirVol currently have four grants on offer for organisations looking for funding. These are, GwirVol International Volunteering, GwirVol Youth Volunteering ‘Opportunities’ or ‘Promotion’ and GwirVol StreetGames Volunteering. Each of the grants offers different amounts of financial support. To get a good understanding of what the grants can offer then read on and see which is most suitable for your organisation.

GwirVol International Grant

Adventurous organisations that aim to provide volunteering opportunities overseas can apply to the GwirVol International Grant Scheme. This scheme can offer up to £30,000 for projects that aim to widen their international volunteering opportunities. The scheme aims to support projects that are particularly interested in recruiting young volunteers who live in disadvantaged communities across Wales. GwirVol will support 80% of project costs in order to help develop particular organisations. To increase volunteering opportunities for young people and to benefit your community, visit the GwirVol website for more information and access to applications.

GwirVol Youth Volunteering Grant ‘Opportunities’ or ‘Promotion’

GwirVol are passionate about encouraging young people to volunteer. The GwirVol Youth Volunteering Grant is available to organisations who aim to increase the number of young people volunteering and the diversity of volunteering opportunities. There are two types of grant available; - ‘Opportunities’ and ‘Promotion’. The maximum funding for an Opportunities grant is £10,000. Funding is granted to organisations so that innovative and fresh volunteering opportunities can be created for young people.

The Promotion grant is available for organisations to help promote volunteering opportunities to young people through a range of methods. The maximum fund of £5,000 can help promote volunteering at events, on websites, or through campaigns. To find out more information on how you can bring about a step change in the number of people volunteering, visit the link www.gwirvol.org.

GwirVol StreetGames Grant

Applications for the GwirVol StreetGames Grants kick off for a second round. This scheme aims to develop volunteering opportunities in doorstep sport within disadvantaged areas. With funding of up to £2,000, many organisations in disadvantaged communities could really benefit from this grant. So whether you’re an organisation that is full of football fanatics, or a group that is hooked on hockey and are seeking to extend more volunteering opportunities and develop your group, you could be eligible to apply for the GwirVol StreetGames Grant.

Granted with GwirVol Funding!

One organisation which has benefited from the GwirVol International Grant is The Welsh Youth Forum on Sustainable Development, (WYFSD). A youth led organisation for young people which aims to create and secure a sustainable future for all. They had a project in mind that would allow volunteers in Wales to work alongside young people in Mongolia who are interested in climate change and sustainable development. The aim for the project is to create a sister youth forum in Mongolia called ‘Mongolia Youth on Climate Change’. Funding from GwirVol will allow the organisation to train their volunteers to enable them with skills which will enable them to communicate confidently and share campaigning and engagement methods with young people in Mongolia. Funding will also enable volunteers to visit Mongolia to put these skills into action.

Another organisation that has received one of the GwirVol grants is the Ystalyfera Development Trust (YDT). The charity aims to promote the regeneration of the community of Ystalyfera. YDT applied for the GwirVol StreetGames grant to support their project which aimed to promote health and well being in their community. The pioneering charity wanted to encourage young people to engage in rare sporting activities such as fishing competitions and ‘welly boot’ throwing! The organisation wanted to increase the volunteering opportunities in the community for young people to learn skills so that they can increase their chances of employability in the job market. The project also provides volunteers and the community with an increased knowledge about health issues. This project ticked all the boxes for the GwirVol StreetGames grant!

Colwyn Bay Community Sports has been awarded an ‘Opportunities’ grant to deliver a wide range of new volunteering opportunities which is one of the chief requirements of the GwirVol Youth Grants. Colwyn Bay proposed a programme called ‘iVolunteer’ which aims to harness the motivational power of football and the inspirational setting of a football stadium to engage young volunteers and introduce them to the management of ‘football in the community schemes’. The organisation expressed that the scheme should be youth led and community owned. GwirVol supports and values these views and is pleased to support the project.

How to Apply

The closing date for all applications will be 24th November 2010. GwirVol received a great deal of applicants in the last run and look forward to having another successful round.

For extended information, such as contact numbers and application forms, visit our Grant page by clicking the link http://www.gwirvol.org/en/grants.

The grants on offer can make an enriching difference in many communities. What does your organisation need, want and require? GwirVol are waiting to grant your wishes!