NYS Offers To Fund Projects To Empower Young People

A grant of $500,000 is being offered by the National Youth Service (NYS) to fund programmes or projects proposed by community-based organisations that seek to empower young people or to enhance their communities.

However, the community-based organisations must have at least 10 to 20 per cent of the total grant in cash or kind before being eligible for the grant.

“It is a partnership. We have to ensure that persons are committed, they must show a sign of commitment,” said Director of Community Services at the NYS, Nickeasha Lindsay, in an interview with JIS News.

“We are requesting that great emphasis be placed on youth advancement and it must address social issues affecting the community or the nation on a whole. We’ve listed areas that the proposals should be focused on,” added Ms. Lindsay.

The areas include: personal and professional development, volunteerism, serving persons with disabilities and entrepreneurship, among others. At least 75 per cent of the persons benefitting from the grant should be between the ages of 17 and 24.

The deadline for submission has been extended until March 4 and interested persons are being asked to visit the NYS website and download the application form.

This programme was created by the NYS after noticing an influx of grant requests during the summer.

Ms. Lindsay told JIS News that this is among the many ways her oganisation can help more young people.

Meanwhile, the NYS summer programme is now open with an April 8 deadline.

“Our programme is pretty standard. We require young people to have three Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (passes) or less and to have a resume,” informed Ms. Lindsay.  A resume template is also available for those individuals who have none.

Applicants will be subjected to an interview and if successful, will be placed