Author: Helen

TAITH  – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Posted on by Helen

Here you can find a number of FAQS that the Taith Youth Sector Organising Body have put together to assist applicants;

 

Can organisations registered in England or elsewhere in the UK apply for Taith funding?
There is scope for UK based organisations who operate in Wales but aren’t registered here to apply to Taith. The activity has to cover participants who are actively engaged in a Welsh organisation and the application has to demonstrate how the proposed programme will benefit Wales but they don’t need to be registered in Wales. For more information see page 34 of the Taith Programme Guide.

 

Do projects have to be new or can we apply for Taith funding to run a previous/existing project?
No, projects do not have to be new, applicants can apply to fund re-running past projects. Projects which are already funded are not eligible.

 

What age groups can participate?
For young people participating the age ranges go from 11 to 25 for activities like youth exchanges. Learners wishing to take part in volunteering opportunities, training courses and so on, will need to be between 16 – 25. For staff/professionals participating there is no upper age limit.

 

Are countries outside Europe included in Taith?
Yes. Organisations and individuals travelling outside of Wales may apply to travel to countries across the world. When finding partners and planning projects make sure to check the UK Government’s Foreign Office for travel advice and a list of countries prohibited due to instability or conflict. Applicants should take care to arrange activities in stable and safe countries for the benefit of all participants.

 

How many international partners do we need to include?
You must partner with at least one organisation in a country outside the UK. If you are applying for ‘Group mobilities – introductory travel experience’ as part of your application, you can partner with organisations within Scotland, Northern Ireland and England but the project must also include a partner from outside the UK for the international element of the project.

 

Do we need to include a specific partner in our application?
You do not need to have a partner(s) in place at the time of application. If you do then please provide as much detail as possible in the application but if you are still to identify a partner, you will just need to detail what kind of partner you are looking to work with and why. The more detail you can provide on this the better, to demonstrate that the proposed project has been well thought through and that appropriate plans are in place to make it a success. If you have identified a partner in your application and these plans change at a later stage that is fine, you would just need to demonstrate that you have a clear rationale for the change and that it will not impact your overall aims and objectives of the project.

 

Will our international partners have all their project costs covered to travel to Wales?
No. The Welsh Government is prioritising mobility opportunities for Welsh learners to travel outside of Wales. Project funding for inward mobilities for participants to come into Wales can comprise up to 30% of your project budget for outward mobilities.

 

Are staff salaries/time included in project costs?
The answer is no for Pathway 1, but organisations are able to use organisational support budget to cover some of these costs if feasible.

 

If successful, will we get all our funding awarded up front?
No but a substantial advance payment will be transferred once the grant agreement is signed, with further payments made on completion of project milestones such as submission of interim or final reports.

 

Will we be able to work with sectors other than Youth?
Yes, but bids would still have to go in to one sector not both. So if a school and youth group worked together on an application they should decide which organisation would apply to which strand, either Youth or Schools and so on.

 

Are all project costs covered?
Funding is calculated on the basis of ‘unit costs’ covering things like travel, subsistence and organisational support. The funding model has been designed to ensure that organisations are able to cover all the project costs but this is dependent on the management of the funding and organisations sticking to the pre-set unit costs. More information on the grant rates and what is covered can be found on pages 121 – 125 of the Taith Programme Guide.

 

How many bids can our organisation put in per funding call?
Each applying organisation can only submit one application per funding call. However, you can include as many activities in the application as you want – there is no maximum number. You can apply for any or all of the young people and staff activities, and can also apply for multiple of the same activities – e.g. a group mobility to France and a group mobility to South Africa.

 

How many funding calls are there per year?
Currently there is one funding call planned per year per sector – the current call deadline is 12th May. There is a possibility that an additional funding call will be opened later in the year depending on the level of applications. If and when this is decided, further detail will be shared on the Taith website and directly to interested organisations. There is no guarantee of an additional funding call however so Taith encourage you to make the funding call deadline of 12th May if you have a project in mind.

 

Will I have to cover visa costs for learners?
Travel related exceptional costs (such as visas, passports and vaccinations) are covered for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds – see page 118 of the Taith Programme Guide for the definition for Youth. Visa costs for other participants are not covered and will need to be covered by the individual participants, though grant funding for organisational support can be used for this where feasible.

 

Will the Welsh Government sponsor visa applications for participants travelling to Wales?
The Taith team is currently working on this and will issue further guidance in due course.

 

Is there additional funding available for disadvantaged learners or those with additional needs?
Yes, there is additional funding for disadvantaged learners and those with additional needs – see page 124 of the Taith Programme Guide for further details.

 

Can we apply for funding for projects to work with Erasmus+ partners? Where they for example apply to the Erasmus+ programme in their countries to cover their costs and we apply to Taith to cover ours?
Yes, this is allowed under the Taith funding rules and is something to be encouraged. Taith would encourage you to mention any project activities linked with Erasmus+ purely for transparency and would expect that the Taith project activities demonstrated a new activity.

 

Where does training for participants sit in the budget? (E.g. Pre-departure trainings, on arrival training etc.…)
At the moment there is no funding allocated for this and any costs incurred for these types of training would need to come from the organisational costs.

 

For the system development projects activities, does it only cover organisational outreach activities or can it include youth-led activities?
If the youth-led activities are developed and organised through a staff mobility then yes absolutely. However, it is only the staff mobility that will be funded. If you wanted co-development of these activities with young people then this could be a young person mobility project activity included in your application in conjunction with a staff mobility project activity.

 

What is Taith’s flexibility in terms of changes to project activities or not reaching intended targets after a grant has been awarded?
If an organisation fails to meet all their intended targets in their application then they will need to repay any unused budget. If an organisation is much more successful and achieves over and above their targets then unfortunately they cannot apply for further funding until the next funding call.

Taith encourages all eligible organisations applying to be ambitious with their targets and activities as long as they can justify them and they are realistic for that organisation.

Taith understands that there may need to be changes to project activities as a result of challenges with partners, destination country and/or changes to circumstances . If this is the case for your organisation you will need to get in touch with the Taith team to let them know what you plan to change and why, and to explain how the new activities will meet the aims and objectives as laid out in your application.

 

Are Taith providing budget for carbon offsetting for travel?

At the moment no. However, environmental sustainability is one of Taith’s cross cutting themes and the team are looking at ways to better embed this into the programme. Any ideas you have would be welcomed by the Taith team so please do get in touch with them to discuss.

There is a question on sustainability in the application form where you can detail what you are doing to ensure the project is as sustainable as possible. You can also use this section to detail decisions around country destinations if these has been influenced by environmental considerations.

 

You can find more support on our  Taith Resources  page; https://www.cwvys.org.uk/taith-resources/

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Helen Jones, CWVYS Communications Officer, via Helen@cwvys.org.uk

Taith Resources

Posted on by Helen

Taith is Wales’ new international learning exchange programme.

Would you like to know how to make an application to the Taith Programme and what’s available to the Youth sector?

Taith will offer funding and support for youth organisations across Wales, with a particular focus on those who have no or limited experience of international mobility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For further information please see the Taith Programme Guide.

 

You can find a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here; https://www.cwvys.org.uk/taith-frequently-asked-questions-faqs/

 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Helen Jones, CWVYS Communications Officer, via Helen@cwvys.org.uk

 

 

Playful Childhoods campaign “When I was your age…”

Posted on by Helen

This month Play Wales and Playful Childhoods have launched When I was your age…, a new campaign designed to challenge misconceptions around teenagers and play by inspiring nostalgia and reminding adults of what it is to be young.

While playing, or ‘hanging out’, might look different today thanks to the introduction of technology and changing social habits, we want to encourage teens and their parents, carers or grandparents to compare their experiences of play and find the similarities between them – whether that’s them learning dances on TikTok, or adults playing Snake on their Nokia 3310 a few years back!

Teenagers from across Wales have been giving a voice to the campaign, sharing their experiences of playing and hanging out with their friends, and encouraging adults to think about the similarities between them to encourage more tolerance of their presence in public spaces.

This is where you and come in!

Help to share the important message of #WhenIWasYourAge and as many teens and adults sharing their experiences.

Below you will find our toolkit (in English and Welsh) with more information about the campaign, and how you can get involved in the promotion by sharing and encouraging conversation on social media.

  • Use the toolkit to find out more about the campaign, and find suggested copy for use on e-newsletters and websites
  • Follow us on social media and share #WhenIWasYourAge content
  • Encourage your networks, colleagues, friends and family to get involved

 

Triban Festival (2 – 4 June) – FREE!

Posted on by Helen

Biggest gathering of the century!

For the first time ever and as part of Urdd Gobaith Cymru’s Centenary celebrations, there will be a festival within the Urdd Eisteddfod in Denbighshire this year. Triban Festival is an opportunity to celebrate the best of contemporary Welsh music and culture with “the biggest reunion of the Century”. All members, past and present Urdd members, old and new are welcome to join.

What can you expect? A feast of food and drink, including a bar, and a chance to reminisce while enjoying live performances by Eden, Gwilym, Eädyth, Tara Bandito, N ‘Famady Kouyaté and many more. Simply; Company. Remembering. Socializing. Further information at www.urdd.cymru/triban

Cost? For free! Admission to Triban (2 – 4 June) will be free of charge and included in the free ticket to the Eisteddfod field.

Ticket? Yes! Although it’s free, a ticket has to be booked! This can be done now at www.urdd.cymru/tickets

Further information?
www.urdd.cymru/Triban
eisteddfod@urdd.org

* Link to this video trailer: https://twitter.com/i/status/1497179574181908486

Urdd Peace and Goodwill Message 2022

Posted on by Helen

The Climate Emergency

The Urdd’s centenary message of Peace and Goodwill focuses on the climate emergency. It is a call to action by the children and young people of Wales to the young people of the world, to use the importance and power of their voice to urge governments and large corporations to take urgent action to save our planet. It’s time to wake up!

18 May 2022 – Peace and Goodwill Message Day

Put 18 May in your diaries, to join the Urdd, Aberystwyth University and the children and young people of Wales, as we share our centenary Peace and Goodwill Message. Follow @Urdd on Twitter, and Urdd Gobaith Cymru on Facebook, and @UrddGobaithCymru on Instagram using #Heddwch100, to share the message on the day. Look out for an engagement package that will be available to download nearer the time.

You can find the message itself here in may languages; https://www.urdd.cymru/en/peace-and-goodwill/

CWVYS open forum on Registration of Youth Workers on the 5th of May

Posted on by Helen

A special CWVYS ‘Regional’ meeting has been arranged to look at the consultation on extending registration for the Youth Work Sector.

It will be a CWVYS open forum on the 5th of May 2022, starting at 10am.

Our Regional Coordinator Catrin James would like to invite you to the open forum meeting, to discuss the latest consultation relating to extending the registration categories of the workforce in the Youth Work sector.

You can find the link to the consultation here; https://gov.wales/new-registration-categories-education-workforce-council

At the meeting Members will be joined by a Welsh Government official who will provide an overview of the consultation.

You will have the opportunity with your fellow members to discuss the questions in the consultation.

Those interested in attending should RSVP to Catrin@CWVYS.org.uk

New staff at CWVYS

Posted on by Helen

Two new members of staff join the team at CWVYS on 1 April:

 

Branwen as p/t Marketing & Communications Assistant, working alongside Ellie Parker:  branwen@cwvys.org.uk

 

Kath as f/t Taith Youth Sector Co-ordinator on behalf of the Taith Youth Sector Consortium: kathryn@cwvys.org.uk

 

Whilst based at CWVYS, both roles will support the whole youth work sector in Wales.

We know that you will join us in welcoming Branwen and Kath.

Young Peacemakers Awards

Posted on by Helen

The Welsh Centre for International Affairs (WCIA), Size of Wales and CWVYS are working with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod to celebrate children and young people who have contributed to peace, climate justice and equality in their school, youth group, local community or in the wider world.

Together we will host a Young Peacemakers Awards Ceremony at the Eisteddfod on 7 July 2022 where young people will receive a certificate and an award.

We hope that children and young people (between 5 and 25 yrs old) will be inspired to get creative and express their ideas about how the world can be a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable place post-COVID19 – through words, art or digital media.   
Individual young people or groups can enter under the following categories:

  • Young Peace Activist of the year
  • Young Peace Writer of the year
  • Young Peace Artist of the year
  • Young Climate Champion of the year
  • Young Global Citizen of the year
  • Young Peace Heritage Champion of the year
  • Young International Peacemaker of the year (also open to young people from outside Wales)

It is also acceptable to nominate someone, with their permission.
The closing date for applications this year is 10th June, 2022. 

You can find the terms and conditions for the Awards here, as well as an application form. 

Please send your entries to  centre@wcia.org.uk.

Taith application support for Youth event

Posted on by Helen

Taith is Wales’ new international learning exchange programme.

Would you like to know more about the Taith Programme and what’s available to the Youth sector?

The Taith team have just the event for you; https://www.taith.wales/events/#application-support-youth

Why not join the webinar looking at the application form in detail, offering application support for youth organisations and “addressing qualitative questions” in the application forms.

Next Thursday the 24th March 2022 at 3pm

Taith will offer funding and support for youth organisations across Wales, with a particular focus on those who have no or limited experience of international mobility.

The session will be delivered in English, but please let the team know beforehand if you would like to ask questions in Welsh and they will arrange simultaneous translation.

 

For more information about these events and Taith contact; taithenquiries@cardiff.ac.uk.

It will be a virtual event on the Teams platform, you can register here.

If you can’t make it the sessions will be recorded.

 

  • In the meantime here’s a document with advice on how to approach the qualitative questions in the application form;

https://www.taith.wales/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Qualitative-questions-Youth-V1-04Mar2022.pdf

 

 

 

For further information please see the Taith Programme Guide.

Taith events

Posted on by Helen

Taith is Wales’ new international learning exchange programme.

Would you like to know more about the Taith Programme and what’s available to the Youth sector?

The Taith team have just the event for you; https://www.taith.wales/events/#intro-in-youth

 

Why not go along to an “Introduction to Taith in Youth” this Wednesday the 16 March 2022 at 2pm

This webinar is designed for Welsh Youth organisations to learn more about the opportunities funded under Taith.

Taith will offer funding and support for youth organisations across Wales, with a particular focus on those who have no or limited experience of international mobility.

The session will be delivered in English, but please let the team know beforehand if you would like to ask questions in Welsh and they will arrange simultaneous translation.

 

For more information about these events and Taith contact; taithenquiries@cardiff.ac.uk.

It will be a virtual event on the Teams platform, you can register here.

If you can’t make it the sessions will be recorded.

 

  • In the meantime here’s a document with advice on how to approach the qualitative questions in the application form;

https://www.taith.wales/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Qualitative-questions-Youth-V1-04Mar2022.pdf

There will be another event in the next couple of weeks looking at the form itself in detail.

 

 

 

For further information please see the Taith Programme Guide.

Marketing & Communications Assistant VACANCY

Posted on by Helen

 

Hours of work:                                  24 per week

Length of contract:                           1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023                                                 

Salary:                                                £26,511 (£17,196 actual)

Accountability:                                  to CWVYS Chief Executive

Place of work:                                   Home-based (CWVYS office is in Cardiff Bay)

 

CWVYS is seeking to recruit and host a Marketing & Communications Assistant, working alongside, and in support of, the sector-wide Marketing & Communications Officer with responsibility for a range of duties and projects. This post is funded by the Welsh Government.

We are looking for a fully bilingual (Welsh and English languages), creative and skilled person who will support the marketing and communications needs of the whole youth work services sector in Wales.

Applicants are invited to register initial interest in this position by e-mailing paul@cwvys.org.uk  A copy of the job description/person specification and application form will then be e-mailed in return.

When completing the application form, candidates will be expected to prove how their experience and skills match the requirements of the role as outlined in the job description and person specification.

Closing time/date for receipt of applications is 2pm on 11 March 2022.

Applicants selected for interview will be informed of the relevant process in due course.

Thank you for your interest.