Calling all budding young entrepreneurs!

The grant fund is available for young people aged 14-25 with enterprising ideas.  This can be anything from expanding a project about enterprise you have worked on at school or college, to developing your own business skills and setting up a new business.

It was set up using prize money which Regenerate Pennine Lancashire secured after winning the North West title for Enterprising Britain in 2009.

Grants of either £1,000 or £2,000 are available, depending on the age of the applicant,  who can live in either Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale.

Money is available for a number of items including courses, qualifications, educational visits, equipment, research, business start up costs and specialist materials.

Examples of eligible grant items:

• Training courses
• Residential courses
• Qualifications
• Educational visits
• Computer equipment/software (if for personal use only, a strong business case must be made for laptops etc) 
• Research
• Business start up costs (e.g. equipment/tools, promotional/marketing materials, business insurance, professional subscriptions, stationery, uniforms)
• Specialist services (e.g. speakers, mentors, consultants)

Examples of grant exclusions:

• Vehicles or vehicle insurance
• Debt repayment
• Religion or politics related activity
• Retrospective activity
• Some business start up costs (e.g. business vehicles, rent, stock)

Anyone aged between 14-25 is welcome to apply, or tutors nominating a student/pupil.

The next decision making panels will take place in February, June and October 2012. Please apply at least 6 weeks before the relevant panel meeting.

The grant fund is being managed by the Community Foundation for Lancashire on behalf of Regenerate Pennine Lancashire.

• To apply, for a grant to help you support your idea, or just for more information, visit www.lancsfoundation.org.uk
• Or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PLYouthFund

(Issued by Regenerate Pennine Lancashire)