IF YOU are under 30, connected to the Scottish Borders and have a great idea which you believe will make an impact on our region’s communities, economy, or environment, then the Borders Youth Local Action Group (Youth-LAG) want to hear from you.

Youth-LAG is a voluntary team of young people aged 16-26 who live, work or study in the Scottish Borders. The group was set up in October 2022 to distribute ‘community led local decision making’ funds and is facilitated by YouthBorders.

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And they are responsible for granting £20,000 of funding to young people in the Scottish Borders.

Potential applicants are encouraged to apply now as the deadline for submissions is January 17 2023.

The Borders Youth-LAG team is made up of five young people who are keen to make a positive local difference by managing the fund. Jordan Lawson, Megan Purves, Sean Kwok, Emma Gray, and Lucy Robeson have worked together to determine the priority areas of the fund, who can apply and the overall application process.

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The team say they want to invest in young people and their great ideas.

The group state they also hope parents, carers, teachers, and youth workers will encourage young people to apply to the fund.

Capital expenditure grants of up to £750 are potentially available for individual applicants and a maximum of £1750 for those who apply as part of a group. Applications must fit one of the groups five priorities which are:

Mental health and wellbeing, rural poverty, cost of living (group applications only), business and enterprise and community

The Youth-LAG are also interested to see how ideas contribute to tackling climate change and making a positive impact on the environment.

As well as those wanting to support their community, the Borders Youth-LAG are keen to hear from young people who want to start a business but don’t have the funds to launch their idea.

The Borders Youth-LAG fund can help pay for training and skills development. It can also cover costs for specialist tools, machinery, and outdoor clothing, or even creative materials, cooking equipment and digital hardware.

The group say they are keen to help young entrepreneurs to progress.

Those who are interested in applying to the fund are urged to do so without delay. The deadline for submitting applications is Tuesday 17 January 2023 and funds must be spent by 10 March 2023.

The application process is easy where young people will be scored on the merit of their idea rather than the quality of their application. The team are looking for original, creative, and fun ideas which are youth led.

Whilst it is accepted that some young people may need the support of an adult to complete the application process, all ideas must come from young people.

To find out more, including how to access the application form, visit www.youthborders.org.uk or email info@youthborders.org.uk

Trainee Youth Worker Arran Barker (18) from Hawick said: “We have had the opportunity to work at YouthBorders since March as trainee youth workers. In this time, we have met amazing young people who have great ideas and want to make our area a great place to be.”

Katie Jaffray (Trainee Youth Worker Katie Jaffray (18) from Hawick said: “I'm encouraging young people from Hawick to apply for funding because it is giving young people a chance and opportunity to make changes within their community and allows them to be able to express their interests and ideas in what they want for their community or youth group. It really is a great and important opportunity to allow their voices to be heard and actions to be taken.”

YouthBorders CEO Susan Hunter said: “Young people in Hawick should definitely apply to the Borders Y-LAG because it can help someone that needs money to start something new and get their idea in to action. It would be great if people in Hawick can help raise awareness of the fund, as they may know of someone under-30 that the Y-LAG could help.”