Funding to Develop Media Skills for Young People

Young people have contact with the media every day. Television, radio, film, the Internet, and the printed word are all around them.

The government has realised the impact the media has on young lives. Since 2006, it has put more than £14 million into a media fund for disadvantaged 13 – 19 year olds. As a result, more than 9,500 young people have created their own media projects. These have appeared on the BBC, Channel 4, ITV, and major websites.

Mediabox

The body that manages the fund and promotes media skills for young people is Mediabox. Its purpose is to give 13 – 19 year olds a chance to develop projects for television, the Internet, radio, film, and print.

With these projects, teenagers have platforms to air their ideas and opinions. They also have an opportunity to acquire knowledge about an area normally closed to them.

Mediabox intends that these media skills, and the experience gained, will lead to greater self-respect and confidence. This raises the prospects of such young people obtaining work and coping with the adult world.

Type of Project

The projects that receive Mediabox grants should help young people to express their views and benefit their communities. In other words, a Mediabox project should give teenagers the chance to make a difference at a local level.

Mediabox also wants to change the perception of young people by the media. To help achieve this, it encourages media industry employers to employ trainees from under-represented backgrounds.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must be 13 – 19 years old and live in England. A body that represents a group of 13 – 19 year olds can apply on their behalf.

There are several types of Mediabox schemes:

• Grassroots and community youth organisations can apply for a Mini Mediabox grant.
• Established youth bodies and media-focused organisations can apply for Mid Mediabox, Big Mediabox, and Mix Mediabox grants. The type of grant depends on the nature of the project.
• Individuals can apply for a My Mediabox grant. To do so, they must enter competitions or apply via organisations that support the Mediabox scheme.

Making an Application

The Mini Mediabox application process is straightforward. Mediabox usually takes three months before it tells applicants if they’ll receive a grant.

For Mid, Big, and Mix Mediabox applications, there’s a two-stage process. At stage one, applicants explain their ideas. If Mediabox believes an idea may be suitable for a grant, a second, more detailed stage comes into play. The whole process takes around three to four months.

Individuals who want to make a My Mediabox grant application must either keep an eye open for relevant competitions or contact partner organisations. Mediabox has further details.

Source of Funding

The Department for Children, Schools and Families together with the Department for Communities and Local Government funds Mediabox. The current grant arrangements are set to run until the end of March 2011.

Amounts Available

For organisations, the grants range from £1,000 to £40,000. Individuals can apply for a grant of £500.

Where to Apply

Anyone interested in applying for a grant should contact Mediabox for more information.