Designing a Project That Achieves the Best Outcomes for Children & Young People
If you are thinking about applying for Youth Music funding then read this article for some valuable advice on how to address Youth Music's generic outcomes.
Okay. You have decided to apply for a Youth Music grant. You have read the applicant guidance and have picked the modules you want to apply for. Now it's time to look at the module guidance. You know the activities planned will meet the intended outcomes...But hang on a sec...What are these 'generic outcomes' all about? And what activities should you do to meet them?
A few people have asked me that in the last few days. In case you are unfamiliar with the term, 'generic outcomes' are those outcomes that all applicants are required to aim for across each of the funding modules. So that got us thinking here at Youth Music and...ta-daaaa...we have come up with a list of possible activities to help you answer these questions.
Now for the disclaimer - please note that this list is by no means exhaustive, it's a starter to get the cogs turning. Nothing on here is mandatory, and we don't expect applicants to do all or any of the things on the list. It's simply to help you get a few pointers in case you're struggling.
Generic Outcome #1
To improve the quality and standards of music delivery for children and young people you might think about activities to...
- Develop your workforce (such as training, mentoring, coaching, observing, group reflection, dedicated practice-sharing time, attendance at networks, conferences, action learning sets, professional tuition, focussed professional development guidance, self-evaluation support)
- Embed learning and reflection approaches in your organisation (such as organisational twinning programmes, peer evaluation, self-evaluation, support for organisational critical reflection)
- Encourage participant and stakeholder feedback (such as supporting structured opportunities for children and young people to provide constructive feedback, evaluation training, facilitated stakeholder reflection sessions, development of creative feedback techniques).
Generic outcome #2
To embed learning and effective practice in host and partner organisations and share practice beyond the project you might think about activities to...
- Embed learning and effective practice (such as presenting findings internally, supporting colleagues to make findings relevant to their work, securing buy-in and ownership at all organisation levels, influencing organisation strategy and planning).
- Develop tools for practice sharing (such as producing case studies and practice write-ups, video-based learning resources, journals and narratives of distance travelled, self-reflection checklists ("am I doing this right?”), producing documentary evaluations, compiling user journeys, supporting young people to create video diaries as part of a project).
- Communicate and share practice (such as publishing tools and resources online or offline, distributing resource packs in settings, presenting at conferences and seminars, developing and enriching training courses, advocating and influencing policy and practice, contributing to networks and discussions, developing collaborations and partnerships for practice sharing, distributing information through others’ established channels).
If you're interested in seeing how this works in practice, you might want to read Lyndall Rosewarne's blog on sharing and embedding practice. If you need further guidance on outcomes, don't forget we have a great resource in the Funding section of this website - Planning & Evaluation: An Outcomes Approach. If you need any further support then post your query on our Funding Forum and a member of our Grants Team will get back to you ASAP.
Best of luck with your application!