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May backs youth with £80m as part of ‘great meritocracy’ vision

Prime Minister Theresa May has announced an £80m funding package to open up new opportunities for young people in England.

The money will help to stimulate young people in getting involved in their communities and gain new experiences, to support their personal development, build character and help them succeed in the future.

The backed initiatives will be jointly delivered by the Government and the Big Lottery Fund. £40m will go towards the new Youth Investment Fund, targeting disadvantaged communities across England, while an additional £40m will provide continued support for Step Up to Serve’s #IWill youth social action campaign.

The £40m Youth Investment Fund (YIF) will be open to projects in targeted disadvantaged communities, with funding available up to 2020 to help organisations invest and plan for the future.

Young people will be involved in the design and decision-making of the new fund, with the first awards are expected to be made in spring 2017. In addition, the Government and Big Lottery Fund will continue their commitment to Step Up to Serve’s #iwill campaign and will each invest a further £20m each by the end of 2020.

May said: “I want Britain to be the great meritocracy of the world and a fundamental part of this is ensuring all young people get the best possible start in life.

“This new funding demonstrates our commitment, and will be a huge boost for youth groups across the country - giving young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, the opportunity to gain the experiences and skills they need to succeed in life.

“This is all part of our determination to build a country that works for everyone– and ensure that young people can go as far as their talents allow, regardless of their backgrounds.”

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