Third sector organisations have been invited to bid for a share of a £10m government fund set up to help organisations that advise disadvantaged young people about education and work opportunities.
About 25 charities are expected to benefit from the fourth round of the Department for Children, Schools and Families' Youth Sector Development Fund. The fund, which is jointly managed by crime reduction charity Catch22, is designed to support the Government's information, advice and guidance strategy, published in October.
Successful applicants will receive a mixture of grants and business support from April 2010 to March 2011.
Projects sought include those that expose young people to the full range of education and work options, through, for example, university taster sessions, work-related learning and mentoring.
Schools minister Iain Wright said: "Many organisations in the third sector are already working with disadvantaged young people and parents in innovative ways that challenge negative stereotypes and raise aspirations. In particular, I want to see proposals which help young people and their families with low aspirations."