YouthBank: Young People Funding Young Ideas

SYV successfully applied for £10,000 from the CLLD Partnership in 2025. The funding needed to support CLLD priorities including tackling cost-of-living pressures and the drivers of child poverty, addressing rural challenges, supporting the transition to net zero and creating sustainable public services. Young people also identified four priorities of their own: transport; jobs and fair work; public spaces; and mental health and wellbeing.

Youth groups across Shetland were invited to apply for grants of up to £1,000. Applications had to demonstrate a clear benefit for young people and communities while meeting both SYV and CLLD priorities. A panel drawn from SYV's membership then decided how the money should be spent, giving young people tangible influence over local development opportunities.

To prepare for this responsibility, nine SYV members completed an SCQF Level 5 accredited course in Grant Making delivered by YouthLink Scotland. The course gave them the knowledge and skills to assess and score applications, consider the different needs and aspirations of applicants and make fair, informed funding decisions.

Youth and Employability staff supported SYV throughout the process. SYV was well placed to lead the work because it is an established youth-led organisation with more than 100 members across Shetland, stretching from Fair Isle to Baltasound. This made it possible to deliver the fund within a tight timescale while drawing on the reach and experience of a group already active across the islands.

Impact

Up to 13 youth-led groups received grants for projects supporting the agreed priorities. Every application was assessed and scored by the trained youth panel. Successful applicants came from across Shetland and included sports teams, youth clubs, Junior Up Helly Aa groups and school pupil councils. The funding supported practical activities and opportunities, while the panel members gained confidence, decision-making experience and an accredited qualification that will support their own future development.

Learning and next steps

YouthBank demonstrated that relatively small grants can have a significant effect when young people are trusted to make real decisions. Accredited training and staff support were important in helping the panel allocate funding confidently and consistently. The range of applications also highlighted the diversity of young people's interests and needs across Shetland. If the model is repeated, a longer application and decision-making period would allow more groups to develop proposals and make the process easier to deliver.

Contribution to the Shetland Partnership

• Participation: Young people were trained and trusted to assess applications and decide how funding should be allocated.
• People: The grants created positive opportunities for young people, while panel members gained confidence, skills and an accredited qualification.
• Place: SYV's membership and the successful applicants represented communities across Shetland, helping the fund respond to different local interests and needs.
• Money: Young people directed a £10,000 fund through grants of up to £1,000, aligning investment with both youth and community-development priorities.