The great news is that we still have money in the pot and so for 2026-2027 we want to train another 50 youth workers!…. and we want to absolutely smash our target of training 50 again this year!

The fund this year will be open for applications for Recognised Qualifications, CPD courses, Youth Work Skills ‘modules’ and young leaders training for young leaders age 16+.  We are looking to fund training that will enhance the youth work practice of individuals and our member organisations. 

• anyone who volunteers or works for one of our member groups can apply for an Individual Grant that will part or fully fund a qualification or CPD Course in a youth work related skill, together with relevant associated costs for themselves or their organisation.  We will fund upto £500 for a recognised qualification and upto £200 for a CPD course. 

• Level 2 and 3 ECVYS member organisations can also apply for a Group Grant that will part or fully fund a qualification/CPD courses in a youth work related skill, and relevant associated costs, for a group of people.  Maximum grant £2,500 

• You must be a paid member of staff, or a volunteer aged 16 or over, with one of our member organisations, and working/volunteering with young people aged between 11 and 25 in Essex.  You must have approval from someone senior in your organisation.
• Your training course MUST be for a qualification that is recognised nationally by an awarding body as transferable between youth work contexts and organisations or a CPD course that enhances your youth work practice.
• It can be a CPD course or qualification in anything that will benefit your youth work practice and that of your organisation** (This is deliberately a very open description because we recognise that youth work in member groups takes many shapes and forms and so will your needs and skills).
• Your grant application can include the cost of the training and any other relevant costs associated with that training, e.g. a contribution towards ‘cover staff’ costs incurred by your organisation for releasing you for training, travel costs, essential reading materials etc.
• Match funding:  ECVYS member organisations must contribute match funding when individual or group grants are accessed by paid members of staff.  This will be at the level of 50% from organisations with a turnover in excess of £100,000 and 20% from organisations with a turnover below £100,000.
• Level 2 & 3 member organisations applying for a group grant MUST also offer some of the training spaces to the wider ECVYS membership.  If you are a Level 1 member and wish to access the group fund then please contact us as we may be able to put you in touch with a Level 2 or 3 member to team up with.