Highlights from The BYC Project: the Kids Count Inspiration Awards, Big Challege opportunities, the Youth Media Summit in Sweden and the 11 Million Web Survey. 

 

We have loads of info on competitions, volunteering, funding for youth projects, awards available for active young people, work placements and loads more. If you would like BYC to email you 'The BYC Project', our fortnightly update on the most exciting opportunities, you can sign up here. You never know when the right thing for you might land in your inbox!

Below that on this page, we have listed a load of links to other cool organisations that we think you might be interested in.

Opportunities

 

Join the Youthink bloggers

The Youthink! blog is a social platform for youth discussion on development and major global issues. If you are passionate about these topics, have opinions on how to make the world a better place, and want the world to hear you, then now’s your chance to jump in.

How to Become a Youthink! blogger - If you’re chomping at the bit to get started, and interested and wired on global issues, then please send the following to youthink@worldbank.org:

• A sample blog post of 500 words or less on the topic: Which major development issue interests you most, and why?
• Your full name
• Your age (must be younger than 30 to be eligible)
• Your contact information

Shortlisted bloggers will be asked to submit a CV and 2 recommendation letters.

While this is an unpaid position, it is an opportunity to get your voice heard by thousands of people around the world, share ideas, and find solutions for making the world a better place. The role will last approximately 4 months.
 

Become a Battlefront Campaigner

Battlefront 2 is about to begin and they're searching for new campaigners. Whatever you are passionate about, whatever gets your goat or if there is a simple change that you want to make for the better, Channel 4 wants to hear from you.

With the support of a team of experienced mentors and all the multimedia you can think of, your campaign could be turned into a reality and launched into the stratosphere!

They‘ll be choosing the new campaigners in Spring ready for kick off in early Summer. Being a Battlefronter is no easy ask and they'll need you to be involved for 9 months. It takes a lot of time and effort, on top of all the work you’ve already got on – but if you’re keen, if you’re committed – then they'll support you all the way.

Go here to submit your idea by April 2010.
 

UK Youth's Hearing Unheard Voices launch event

Join youth workers and young people from all regions of the UK in activities ranging from photography, painting with light, e-reporting and much more. The Hearing Unheard Voices event marks the launch of the project's website and the publication of its campaigning toolkit.

It takes place on 13 March 2010 at The Public, a groundbreaking new building in Sandwell, West Midlands.

The Respect? campaign pledge

This pledge is part of a campaign to urge young people to take ownership of the media, and make their opinions heard, by using comment opportunities and new technology. SIGN IT and pledge:

"I will make my voice heard and help young people’s views to get noticed. When I have an opinion on a news story, I will voice it in the media by commenting online, writing to editors of papers or magazines, or calling in to TV or radio programmes. It’s our news too. but only if 1,000 other young people will pledge to do the same."

Respect? has teamed up with young people’s website TheSite.org, to bring you tips and advice on how to make a splash in the media.
 

Life Support Competition

 
CHANGE THROUGH ART: Create a photograph, film or comic that represents what the recession means to you

and you could win £1000 and have your work judged by the MD of Saatchi Design Ashley Goodall, Turner Prize nominee Yinka Shonibare and

Comic illustrator Jamie McKelvie. Visit the 'Join in' page to find out how you can get involved. The deadline is midnight on 30 April 2010.

 

World Bank: International Essay Competition 2010

The World Bank together with its partners invite you to participate in the international essay competition 2010 on the topic of youth unemployment. How does youth unemployment affect you? How can you tackle youth unemployment through youth-led solutions? 

The deadline for submission is 16 March 2010. Everyone aged between 18 - 25 is welcome to participate.

For more information please visit: www.essaycompetition.org
 

Kids Count awards

Kids Count is seeking nominations for their Inspiration Awards ceremony. Kids Count wish to recognise individuals and organisations that have inspired young people in their communities.

Have you done something that addressed the issues in your life by doing something practical and making a positive difference? Enter the competition! Nominations will be submitted to a high profile judging panel and eight winners will be selected.

The closing date for nominations is the 10 February 2010. The awards ceremony will be held in The House of Commons on Wednesday 10 March 2010. Further information is available at http://www.kidscount.org.uk/.
 

The Big Challenge

Big Challenge are now recruiting for the next Big Challenge Youth Leadership Team... They need you to…

• Pave the way
• Empower a generation
• Innovate social change

The Youth Leadership Team make key decisions about the programme and support the Big Challenge project winners. They are a group of inspirational young people who come from all over the UK, from a variety of backgrounds, with a range of skills and experiences that make up a diverse and lively group! Their advice ensures that the Big Challenge focuses on what young people want and need today! For more information about the Youth Leadership Team please visit the Big Challenge website.

If you’re up for a Big Challenge and would like to apply, please complete the attached application form and email it to: tiana@changemakers.org.uk. Or send to Tina Golden at Changemakers, Ground Floor, Zetland House, 5-25 Scrutton Street, London EC2A 4HJ.

The deadline for application is Friday 12th February 2010.
 

Win a trip to Sweden!

 

 

 

The Institute for Global Ethics UK Trust is planning to take 6 young people (18-25) to Sweden on 14-18 June 2010 to represent the UK at the World Summit on Media for Children and Young People.

• You will be trained in Facilitation and Leadership Skills
• Lead 4 workshops for the Global Youth Council
• Facilitate the creation of a Global Youth Media Charter.
• All flights, accommodation and food included.

To win the chance to be one of those 6 young people please let Global Ethics know in any media format (short film, photo, animation, graphic, poem, letter, article, mosaic made of chocolate peanuts) why you would like to go!The deadline is 8th February 2010.

 

What's your view on family life?

Take part today in the Family Commission's survey on family life in the 21st century to have your say on families and their roles in our society. The Family Commission, chaired by Esther Rantzan, will be producing a major report of its findings in the Autumn.

Have your say here.

 

Take part in BYC Safety Survey and win £50 of vouchers!

The British Youth Council (BYC) wants to know about your experiences of being safe, and what this means to you.The survey focuses on topics such as health and safety, bullying and safety on public transport. BYC will use the answers you give to this survey to help the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Children England develop the training and guidance on how to make sure young people are safe.Just enter your details at the end to be in with a chance of winning £50 of high street vouchers. All answers to this survey will remain confidential, even if you enter the prize draw.Click here to take part.The deadline to take part is 4 February 2010.

 

Become a Youth of Today Fellow

BYC is part of the Youth of Today consortium of organisations who are providing quality leadership opportunities for young people where they can develop as leaders of change.One of our partners, Changemakers are looking for 300 young leaders aged 13-19 to jointheir Fellowship in 2010. This fellowship is made up of people from a variety of leadership backgrounds. By joining the fellowship you will gain training, mentoring, funding and networking opportunities. This will enable you, as a young leader, to have maximum impact and connect with others across the country.Click here for an application pack. The deadline to apply is Friday 26 February 2010.

 

Turn your vision into art

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched its Young Brits at Art Awards for 2010.Young Brits at Art is a national arts awards competition for 11-19 year olds from all backgrounds and walks of life who live in England, Scotland and Wales.The aim is to express through art your vision of this year’s theme: ‘What would the world look like if we lived without prejudice?’ This can be through paintings, drawings, photography, videos, animation and sound.You can also get resources so others in your school or youth group can be inspired to take part.Find out more here. The deadline to enter your artwork is Wednesday 24 March 2010.

 

Win HMV vouchers in Children’s Commissioner’s survey.

The Children’s Commissioner for England has launched an online survey to find out what children, young people and adults think about its website www.11MILLION.org.uk. By taking part, you could be one of three lucky winners of £15 gift vouchers to spend at HMV!The web survey only takes a few minutes to fill in and is completely anonymous. By taking part you'll get the chance to enter the prize draw.The deadline to take part is Friday 12 February 2010 with the prize draw taking place on 16 February 2010. 
 

Become part of the Democracy Club

Democracy Club are building a network of election volunteers to help mySociety and TheStraightChoice in the run up to the next general election, and hopefully beyond. We want your help to hold election candidates and representatives to account.They're trying to get volunteers in every part of the UK. So far, they've recruited volunteers in around 603 constituencies (out of a total 646).When you sign up, representatives of these organisations will occasionally suggest tasks by email, such as gathering information on general election candidates or finding and sharing election leaflets, to help them build awesome sites that will make the next election the most transparent ever. They'll also help you to collaborate with other volunteers in your area.  

NO MESSIN'! Get help to make your youth project happen

It's not always easy to find somewhere safe to play or hang out. This is your youth group's chance to get something going.

It's simple. Your group identifies the problem (could be that they get bored and end up playing in dangerous places, or get pushed around by an older group) then you come up with a project that solves it! This could include the chance to play a sport or other things to do locally.Then NO MESSIN'! could give your group the money, support and training to make it happen. You'd get up to £200 and a three-day residential training course to help make your project a success.Request your free NO MESSIN'! Planning Pack and Project Proposal Form from Sara Kirk at sara.k@ukyouth.org or 01425 675107, and submit your proposal before Friday 12th February 2010.

Great new Participation Works training

Check out our training and events listings which include Building a Culture of Participation, Do you speak Trustee?, Hear by Right Workshops, Ready Steady Change, Safeguarding in Youth Participation, Saying Power and Youth at the Table (for young people).We also offer new courses based on our famous how to guides including How To Involve Children and Young People in Commissioning, How To Use Creative Methods For Participation, How To Work Successfully With Children and Young People From Various Faiths and Cultures and How To Involve ‘Hard To Reach’ Children and Young People.All of our established one-day courses can be adapted to form an interesting and interactive workshop or ‘taster session’ at your meeting, conference or event. Contact our training & consultancy service for more information.

Show us your video talent

The Youth Of Today programme is holding a live and interactive internet broadcast in March 2010 to showcase youth leadership and project a positive image of young people.This will be the first 'webTV' event of its kind! The show will last approximately three hours and will include live interactive segments and pre-recorded content. To help make it a success, they are looking for young people to submit:1) Pre-recorded videos to be used in the broadcast: If you have made a video which relates to youth leadership in any way (leading a dance class? shadowing a Councillor?) they want to hear from you! The deadline to send this in is Friday 29th January 2010.Please send your film to youthoftoday@markettiers4dc.com for review, or call Jess or Lucy on 020 7253 8888. You could end up helping to produce the show in the studio!

Help others get their Life on Track

What’s your best piece of career advice? Got any pearls of wisdom you’d like to pass on? Lifetracks helps young people make informed choices on learning and careers and they’re on a mission to build the biggest collection of user-generated career advice in the UK - Your Life on Track. To do this, they need your help. Find a phone, webcam or camera and make a video of your best piece of career advice. Then upload and link to YouTube. For more information, see the Lifetracks website.Lifetracks.com helps you take your next step in learning, training and work. It’s crammed full of useful articles, videos, features and a free question and answer service, all aimed at helping you make informed choices about your future.

Uprising training in East London

Registration to take part in the 2010-11 UpRising programme is now open. Registering is the first stage of getting a place on UpRising.It is quick and easy to register by clicking here.If you know someone who might like to take part in UpRising, please ask them to register their interest by visiting the UpRising website here.This is great opportunity for 19-25 year olds from East London who want to learn important public leadership skills, make new friends, take part in exciting events and serve the community.To find out more about the UpRising experience visit www.uprising.org.uk

Pedal your way to a greener 2010 in London.

Why not do your bit this month for London’s environment by hopping onto a bike and cycling around the Capital? Whether you’re thinking of cycling half a mile to the local shops, travelling to a place of study, or just taking a leisurely ride, Transport for London’s (TfL’s) series of 14 free cycle guides will help you plan your route wherever you are in the Capital.  TfL also funds free cycle training for adults and children who want to brush up on their cycling skills. Find out more about what's happening near you at www.tfl.gov.uk/cycling 
 back to top  

Links

 
 Chew TV: a pioneering Web TV Company run by and for young people aged 14-25. Chew TV allows anyone to watch free short films and videos online, whilst giving a voice to young people, providing a global showcase for new talent in digital media to connect and share ideas.

 

Community Service Volunteers (CSV): Every year, CSV involves over 150,000 volunteers in high quality opportunities that enrich lives and tackle real need. Visit the website to find out how you can be involved. 
 

 

Do-it.org.uk - search for volunteering opportunities on this site from online charity YouthNet. 

 

 

Gap Activity Projects: Offering a global network of placements that spans 23 countries for British volunteers and includes conservation, caring, community, camps and outdoor, medical, coaching, teaching, and TEFL placements. Open to volunteers 17- 25 years old, the placements last between three and 12 months.
 

Global Xchange is a joint partnership between VSO and the British Council and is broken down into two programmes: Youth Xchange a six-month exchange programme for young people aged 18-25 and Community Xchange an international professional development programme for community workers and practitioners.

HandsOnScotland is an online resource for anybody working with children and young people. The website provides practical information and techniques on how to respond helpfully to children and young people's troubling behaviour, build up their self-esteem and promote their positive mental wellbeing.'



How we see it' is an amazing photography project with young people not in employment, education or training. Click here to see the images and digital stories or find them on Facebook. 

 


LeapAnywhere.com is a revolutionary personal and professional platform that allows you to have fun, doing good.

 

Radiowaves is a safe network of school websites where pupils can broadcast their video, radio, podcasts and blogs easily.
 

RCPCH Young Person's Advisory Panel: Represent young people by having your views heard on health issues. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is inviting you to share your views on health issues that matter to you.
 

Right Here is a collaborative programme to address the mental health needs of young people in ways they would value and use. 
 

Star: A unique organisation giving students the chance to support and campaign for refugees  

Student Volunteering UK
 

The Two Kingdoms Youth Forum is a ground breaking forum for young people from Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom that combines dialogue with action.

Time Bank: TimeBank is a national charity inspiring and connecting a new generation of people to volunteer in their communities, and enabling charitable organisations and businesses to develop innovative and effective volunteer recruitment programmes. 

 

TheSite.org: Your guide to the real world, providing advice and info on all the key issues facing young people including: sex and relationships; drinking and drugs; work and study; housing, legal and finances; and health and wellbeing. 
 

v, the national young volunteers service, is an independent charity dedicated to helping young people volunteer in ways that matter to them. 

The Vibe is a online political magazine written for and by young people, giving the digital generation a voice.  
 

WorldWide Volunteering



Volunteering England is the national volunteer development agency and a membership organisation. We have committed to supporting student volunteering across Further and Higher Education.
 

Yoosk: Yoosk.com is a social media platform that enables direct conversations between public figures and the general public. 
 

Young UK Ambassadors website is the place to find opportunities to speak out and be heard at key international meetings.back to top  

Videos

Climate Change

If you want to see some more videos made by young people on key youth issues check out: