Programs: Grants: Youth in Governance

Funded by Surdna Foundation

April 1, 2006:  Implementation period begins and funds awarded
October 1, 2006:  Interim reports due
March 31, 2007:  Implementation period ends
April 30, 2007:  Final reports due

Each selected program will receive $10,000.00 for implementation costs. Teams must include youth members; one adult must be the State 4-H Program Leader, or a 4-H staff person designated by the State Leader (see Cover Sheet to indicate this arrangement).  Only one application per land-grant university is accepted.

This grant will fund pilots for three states to assess and address an aspect of organizational change related to youth in governance. Because each state is unique in the way it operates and in its particular strengths and weaknesses related to youth in governance, the intent of this grant is to provide states with as much flexibility as possible, while still meeting the goal of the grant program.

The focus for this grant is on statewide rather than county-level change. The proposals must address some aspect of organizational change, but can be focused in any delivery mode or content area. For example, a state may focus on administrative processes (search committees, budget reviews, civil rights audits, etc.); another may focus on program evaluation and the role of youth; still another may focus on restructuring statewide decision-making bodies. It is up to the state to determine what strategic changes can be made to integrate the principles of youth in governance more fully into the organization.

More about Youth in Governance:
In its broadest sense, youth in governance refers to youth as fully-engaged participants, leaders and decision-makers in the programs organizations and communities of which they are a part. Beyond preparing youth for future leadership and decision-making roles, the Youth in Governance Initiative underscores the importance of opportunities to step into those roles now. That is, rather than seeing young people only as future citizens or future leaders, this initiative believes youth are capable individuals who can also contribute now in meaningful, authentic ways to the organizations and communities where they live, learn, work and play.

Youth in governance can be further defined as a range of youth leadership and decision-making experiences that ultimately result in youth having authentic, influential roles and shared power in decision-making on issues of high importance to 4-H Youth Development and its community partners. Examples include youth participation as full and equal members on state or national 4-H committees, 4-H Foundation boards, county boards, school boards, city commissions or other civic or organizational decision-making bodies.

Related Links

2006 Surdna RFP