COLCHESTER — The Vermont Youth Council recently announced a new Youth4Youth grant competition that will distribute over $15,000 to projects created by youth for youth in Vermont.
A project of Vermont Afterschool, the statewide Vermont Youth Council designed the grant program with the goal of inspiring youth-initiated projects that will benefit Vermont’s young people. The grants will fund proposals that promote a wide array of rights identified in the Youth Declaration of Rights, which was written in Fall 2017 exclusively by youth between ages 9 and 22.
Grant amounts can range from $100 to $3,000 and any Vermont youth age 10 to 22 can apply. The Youth4Youth grant application is open until February 10, after which young people from all across the state will vote on finalists. Grant recipients will be announced in April with an award ceremony at the State House on April 12.
“We so grateful to the Vermont Department of Health for supporting this project,” stated Executive Director Holly Morehouse. The Department of Health provided funding for the Youth4Youth grants, as well as to Vermont Afterschool for the creation of the Vermont Youth Council and a new statewide initiative focused on elevating youth voice.
Morehouse said “We cannot underestimate the importance of fostering a sense of belonging for our young people, which in turn connects to healthy lives and well-being. This is an important step for our state to recognize and support our youth in helping them to feel empowered, try new things, and feel connected within their communities.”
For more information and to check out the Youth 4Youth grant application, visit vermontafterschool.org/y4ygrants/