Junior Ministers urge groups to apply now for T:BUC Camps funding

Junior Ministers Gary Middleton and Declan Kearney have urged youth and community groups to submit funding applications to the T:BUC Camps Programme 2022/23.

T:BUC Camps provide a range of opportunities for young people aged 11 to 19, from different backgrounds, to come together and build positive relationships and long lasting friendships through increased understanding and respect.

Welcoming the opening of applications for funding for Camps in 2022/23, Junior Minister Middleton said:

“T:BUC Camps are a key part of the Executive’s Together: Building a United Community strategy. They are about challenging historic positions, encouraging debate and discussion and providing a way for young people to get to know each other and try new experiences.

“The Programme really benefits from a wide range of providers delivering Camps, from small community groups or sports clubs, right through to larger regional organisations. Our target is to deliver at least 100 Camps over the coming year, so I would urge all eligible organisations to get their funding applications in as soon as possible.”

Junior Minister Kearney said:

“The T:BUC Camps Programme has been hugely successful in breaking down barriers and bringing young people from different community backgrounds together.  Making long lasting friendships is a key aim of the Programme, and it is very encouraging that the most recent outcome data showed that almost 91% of participants said they planned to stay in contact with friends they made at camp after the project ended.

“Bringing young people together and giving them the opportunity to learn about and understand other traditions, cultures and beliefs is vital if we are to achieve our goal of building a united community, so I would urge all eligible youth groups and community organisations to get involved and apply now to the T:BUC Camps Programme 2022/23.”

Applications to deliver a T:BUC Camp are invited from Education Authority-registered youth groups, voluntary and community sector organisations, regional organisations that have experience in working with young people, councils and schools.

Further information, application forms and guidance can be found on the Education Authority’s website - www.eanifunding.org.uk/tbuc

The closing date for applications is 31 January 2022.

Notes to editors: 

1. The T:BUC Camps Programme is a good relations programme for young people and is one of the headline actions in the Executive’s Together: Building a United Community Strategy. For more information visit the T:BUC Camps Programme page.
2. The Programme is funded by The Executive Office and delivered in partnership with the Department of Education and the Education Authority. 
3. The 2022/23 Programme opened for applications on 22 November 2021. 
4. The T:BUC Camps Programme has been very successful, with the latest outcome data indicating that 89% of young people felt more favourable towards people from a different religious or community background after taking part in a Camp.

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