Young people and funding panels

Young people’s experience

Interview with Brad Olsen, 2015

How would you describe a youth funding panel?

“Youth funding panels are small groups that make recommendations on funding applications, against set criteria. Young people are given the job of assessing the impacts, benefits and costs of various funding proposals. They give feedback and recommendations on how funds could best be distributed to ensure that the criteria is met, that value for money is achieved, and that the proposal will achieve the outcomes they have set out”.

What do you think ‘youth participation’ means?

“Youth participation is where young people are involved every step of the way, from the initial conception of a group or project through to completion and evaluation. This includes meaningful engagement throughout that provides opportunities for young peoples’ views to be considered and influence the outcomes in their community”.

If young people like you want to join funding panels, what kind of training will they receive?

“Specific training around assessing funding proposals is given. You learn skills to help you make reasoned and informed decisions around the achievability of outcomes for proposals”.

What have you learned through this experience?

“I’ve grown as a person as I’m now a confident speaker, with knowledge and skills around facilitation, project management, communication, consultation styles, and funding decisions”.

If you want to share your youth funding panel story, contact us at mydinfo[at]myd.govt.nz