Funding of £30m is being made available to third-sector organisations whose work supports disadvantaged and vulnerable young people in finding their pathway to success. The Youth Sector Development Fund (YSDF) will help organisations to grow their capacity, support them to compete for local contracts and become fully sustainable. Applications are welcome from organisations which provide services to society's most vulnerable young people, and particularly those whose work has a focus on preventing young people from committing crime, or becoming involved in anti-social behaviour, and those that, through the provision of positive activities, provide engaging and constructive alternatives for our young people.

The YSDF Managing Body is running three workshops to provide information to potential applicants on the YSDF summer bidding round (TSOs with an annual turnover of £1-5m). These will give applicants the opportunity to ask questions and clarify any issues arising from the specification and application materials.

The workshops will cover:

· The aims and objectives of the YSDF

· What makes a good application

· Requirements of projects funded through YSDF

· How to apply and application timetable

The Birmingham Workshop will be on Monday 18 August. Each workshop will last half a day and will be repeated in the morning and afternoon.

Please see http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/youthmatters/aiminghigh/  or further details.