Welcome to the ECVYS website
Here you will find updates on ECVYS activities, meetings,
events, training and grants
ECVYS exists to support the voluntary youth services in Essex and we are proud to represent, train and empower our members.
Our members work with over 290,000 children & young people across Essex
Watch this space for future updates and exciting news, check out the blog pages above, and do let us know your thoughts too.
-Rachel, Beks, Nicole and Lynsey
Watch this link on our Facebook to hear about what a difference voluntary youth services make to young people:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2517835948400223
You can find a youth group or put your youth club on the map here: The Essex Youth Map info page
FUNDING Opportunity
Essex VVU Community Grant (funding period 1st July 2027 to 31st December 2028)
Now open for applications – Closing date for applications 12 noon on 26th October 2026
Not for profit organisations based in Essex, Southend and Thurrock can apply for up to £35,000 to deliver projects working with young people, that meet specific needs as highlighted by young people in the Essex VVU and ECVYS Listening Report 2025-2026. The report includes an Essex overview followed by a section for each of these 14 areas (Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping Forest, Harlow, Maldon, Rochford, Southend, Tendring, Thurrock, Uttlesford). Applicants can ONLY apply for funding to deliver in 1 of these 14 areas.
Projects to commence delivery of work with young people between 1st July 2027 and 30th September 2027 and provide the project/activity for at least 14 months between 1st July 2027 and 31 December 2028. For more information and to apply go to: https://ecvys.org.uk/funding-news/
Training support for ECVYS members
Click the link for details of our Training Support Grant, OnlineTraining & ECVYS member’s training offer from ESCB
ECVYS are recruiting!
We are looking for a Finance Officer to join our small but amazing team for 1 day a month. Have a look at the job description to find out more about the role and how to apply. Closing date for applications is 10pm on the 9th March
50 for 50 Training Support Grant fund extended for 2025-2026 to include CPD & recognised qualifications
Our Training Support Grant ’50 for 50’ was launched in 2024 as an investment from ECVYS of £50,000 into youth work skills in the voluntary sector in 2024-2025. We aimed for at least 50 youth workers (volunteer and paid youth worker) to gain a recognised qualification in youth work skills that will support their youth work practice (with young people aged 11-25yrs) in Essex, and that of their organisation. We are delighted to have achieved this target. The great news is that we still have a healthy amount in the pot and so for 2025-2026 we want to train another 50 youth workers!….No, we want to absolutely smash our target of training 50!
We have already funded courses such as; Football coaching, Principles of Youth Work, Mountain Bike Assessing, First aid for Designated First Aid Leads, Mental Health First aid and more!
Full details and the application form can be found on this link:https://forms.gle/gENAap66dgSeiSNv7
VVU Community Grant 2026/27 open for applications from 3rd July until 12noon on 10th September 2025
Funding for work with young people in Essex. Not for profit groups based in Essex, Southend and Thurrock can apply for upto £22,000 for work taking place from 1/4/26-31/3/27. The criteria is based on what young people told us about safety in Essex in the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit/ECVYS listening report. For more information and apply please go to: https://forms.gle/n4f1TzomJp7JNLbv5
DCMS Updates
The DCMS recently published some updates around youth funding, resources and research that you may find useful. Check out the slide pack they sent out here for more info.
****VVU Community Grant 2026-2027 **** Opens for Applications from 5pm 3rd July 2025 to 12noon 10th September 2025
More information and the application link are on our Funding News page Funding News