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Big Challenge 10 is CLOSED!

We are no longer accepting applications for Big Challenge 10. Thank-you to all of you who have submitted your brilliant ideas of how you want to make a difference in your communities. You will hear from us in the first week of August about whether you have been short-listed. The public vote launches here on the 4th of August for one week so come back and have YOUR say about who should win the competition this year!

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FAQs

  1. I missed out in applying for Big Challenge this time, what can I do?
  2. I have an idea of what I want to do but it does not fit in with theme for this year, can I still submit an application?
  3. I have never done anything like this before, can I still apply?
  4. How do you shortlist projects?
  5. How long until I find out if I am a winner?
  6. If I do win, how much money would I get, how long would I get to spend it and what could I spend it on?
  7. I want to apply for the fund on behalf of the organisation that I work for, can I do this?
  8. If I am one of the winners, what help is available to me to make my project a success?
  9. Why do I have to get young volunteers involved in my project?
  10. How can I get involved in helping out successful projects as I'm not sure I want to apply myself?
  11. I'm interested but still have some questions, can I speak to somebody about it?
  12. I have special needs or a disability that mean that the application process would need to be tailored to my needs, can you accommodate that?

  1. I missed out in applying for Big Challenge this time, what can I do?
    Big Challenge is in it's final year and there will not be further funding available. UnLtd do provide other funding oportunities to young people and full details of all of our programmes can be found on our website www.unltd.org.uk. If you add yourself to the mailing list we will inform you when new pots of funding become available.
  2. I have an idea of what I want to do but it does not fit in with theme for this year, can I still submit an application?
    We will only accept applications that address the key theme of the year.
  3. I have never done anything like this before, can I still apply?
    Yes you can. You do not need to have a lot of experience but if you have a great idea and are really enthusiastic then go for it!
  4. How do you shortlist projects?
    When you submit your application we will check to see that you are eligible (see criteria on the How to Apply page). In July the team of young people who are leading this programme will shortlist projects that they think are most innovative and likely to have most impact. The top ideas will then be asked to provide extra information before being put on to the website for a public vote. Winners will be announced from those chosen by the public in August.
  5. How long until I find out if I am a winner?
    Winners will be announced in the second week of August.
  6. If I do win, how much money would I get, how long would I get to spend it and what could I spend it on?
    Winners will be given a proportion of the Challenge fund that has been decided on by the Youth Leadership Team. We will then provide you with 10 months support to make your project happen and would hope that you could spend the majority of the money during this time. You could spend this money on anything necessary to make the project a success. We DO NOT pay for your time to run the project though as we would expect that you would be volunteering. The Challenge fund could cover costs such as:

    Marketing activities

    Travel expenses

    Training events

    Volunteer expenses

    Venue hire

    Equipment costs

    Etc.

  7. I want to apply for the fund on behalf of the organisation that I work for, can I do this?
    We do not fund organisations. The Challenge fund should go directly to young people who are volunteering their time.
  8. If I am one of the winners, what help is available to me to make my project a success?
    You will be provided with at least 10 months support which will include one to one sessions with the Challenge Manager, support from the Youth Leadership Team, specialist advice from people working in the relevant fields, a two day training event and other practical guides and toolkits.
  9. Why do I have to get young volunteers involved in my project?
    Part of our funding for this project comes from the charity v. They want to see more young people taking part in volunteering and so do we and that's why we ask you how you'll get lots of young people involved. By providing volunteering opportunities, many more young people can benefit from the fund if you win.
  10. How can I get involved in helping out successful projects as I'm not sure I want to apply myself?
    If you want to get involved then you can check on the progress of the different projects on this website and the volunteer opportunities will be publicised in the Get Involved section. Get in contact on 0207 566 1129 or bigchallenge@unltd.org.uk to find out more.
  11. I'm interested but still have some questions, can I speak to somebody about it?
    Yes, we are happy to answer questions or hear project ideas, you can get in contact on 0207 5661129 or bigchallenge@unltd.org.uk.
  12. I have special needs or a disability that mean that the application process would need to be tailored to my needs, can you accommodate that?
    We will do our very best to accommodate any special needs that we are made aware of so that every young person has an equal opportunity to be involved.