Youth Work/Youth Grants


Elma McMahon

Elma Mc Mahon


Youth Office

Local Youth Grants

Youthwork Act 2001

 

Co. Meath VEC recently appointed a Youth Officer, Elma Mc McMahon. She is employed under the Youth Work Act 2001 to fulfil the obligations and responsibilities of Meath VEC. Under the Act, the VEC assumes statutory responsibility for youth work in the county.

Youth work is defined as a 'planned programme of education designed for the purpose of aiding and enhancing the personal and social development of young persons through their voluntary participation and which is complementary to their formal ,academic or vocational education & training and provided by voluntary work organisations'.
 
One of the Youth Officers primary functions will be to draft a 3 Year Development Plan and to implement that plan. This involves assessing the changing needs of the young people in addition to appraising the existing and potential youth services and programmes in the County. Voluntary Youth Councils will be established later in the year to act in an advisory capacity to Elma and the VEC during the development of the 3 Year Development Plan. The Voluntary Youth Council will have 10-20 members and will act as a forum for youth organisations.  Youth Work Committee will advise the VEC and make recommendations on their role.
 
The Youth Officer will also be responsible for youth budgets, local youth club grants, seeking additional grants for clubs and societies and then assessing and processing of same. Clubs who received funds will be audited to ensure that monies are used in the best way possible and in the approved manner. Assessment and review of youth work programmes and services in turn support the development of good youth work practice.
 
This will improve the professionalism and accountability of youth work in the county.
As well as promoting youth work for all young people, she will encourage and support volunteerism at community level. Meath is a county evolving and changing and youth work will reflect this diversity with the encouragement and provision of a wide range of youth organisations.

Elma will play a key role in building up the Youth Work services throughout the County, creating linkages among Youth Clubs and those working with young people. She will support the development of good youth work practice through assessment, monitoring and review of youth work programmes and services.

 

 

 

Local Youth Grant Scheme

Each year Co. Meath VEC invite applications for grant aid from youth clubs and organisations which are based in Co. Meath.  The grants are funded by the Department of Education and Science from the proceeds of the National Lottery.

The scheme is open to all organisations that have youth work as their primary focus. 
The Scheme comprises a number of grants that can be grouped broadly under two headings:

  • Youth Group Grants:   
  • Youth Active Grants:  

 

Advertisments are placed in the local press each year inviting applications.  Advice and information can be obtained from the Youth Officer, Elma McMahon contactable by calling 046 90 68200 or e-mailing elma.mcmahon@meathvec.ie

 

 2009 LYCGS Application Form

2009 LYCGS Explanatory Form

 

Youthwork Act 2001

Under the provision of the Youthwork Act passed in 2001, each VEC will establish a Youth Work Committee.  This committee will be comprised of at least 16 members nominated by various Ministries, the County Council, Health Board and by the Voluntary Youth Council for Co. Meath.  This provision of the Act awaits commencement.


Functions of V.E.C.'s include:

  • Providing assistance, including financial assistance, to youth work organisations.
  • Preparation and implementation of Youth Work Development Plan (Three years).
  • Drafting annual youth work budgets.
  • Reporting on youth work services to the Minister.
  • Establish a Youth Work Committee to advise and make recommendations to its youth work functions.
  • Youth Work Committee to have a membership of 16-20 members, comprising:
    • Persons nominated by relevant statutory agencies, including the V.E.C.
    • Nominees of the Voluntary Youth Council.
  • Voluntary Youth Council will
    • Advise on matters related to the Youth Work Development Plan.
    • Act as a forum for voluntary youth organisations.
    • Consist of 10-20 members (20% under 25).
    • Elected in accordance with directions issued by V.E.C. (following recommendation from Minister after consultation with National Youth Advisory Committee).

 

 

Advice and information can be obtained from the Youth Officer, Elma McMahon contactable by calling 046 90 68242 or e-mailing elma.mcmahon@meathvec.ie