General Council of Calvados - "Initiatives Jeunes" Grant Programme

"Initiatives Jeunes" grant from the Calvados department

You will receive a one-off grant of up to 2,000 EUR to carry out your own project. The grant may cover no more than half of your project’s total budget, so you will need to fund the other half from other sources. The grant will be paid to the association or local authority supporting you, not directly to you. The grant is provided by the Calvados department in France. Projects may focus on local life, exploration and travel, sport, art or culture. It is important that the idea originates from you and that you carry out the project yourself.

Who can apply

• Age: You are between 11 and 15 years old. Groups can have up to 17 members, provided the sponsoring organisation allows this.
• Where you live: You live in the Calvados department in France.
• Your role: The project is your own idea and you’re in charge of it yourself.
• Support: You must be supported by a recognised organisation, such as a youth club, a local authority, a public body or an association active in the fields of sport, culture, the environment or community support. You will also need a named adult mentor to guide you through the project.
• Field: Any type of project is permitted, provided that it is not simply a request for equipment, is not part of your school curriculum, is not organised by a school, and does not constitute a routine activity of the organisation itself.

How to apply

First, plan your project together with your mentor and then submit your application via the Calvados online service. An interview will then take place to check whether the project meets the requirements. If it does, you will present it to a panel, which will decide whether to award the grant.

How realistic are your chances?

This grant is aimed at a small target group: you must be aged between 11 and 15, live in the Calvados department and be able to present a specific project that is supported by a recognised organisation. Very few people apply for it. If you meet these criteria and, together with your mentor, develop a sound, well-budgeted project, your chances are good. The biggest hurdle is convincing the jury that the idea is genuinely your own and worthy of funding.