Providers to enablers: reflections on the provision of positive activities targeting criminal and anti-social behaviour of young people

In June 2009, grants ranging from £200,000 to £600,000 were awarded via the Youth Sector Development Fund to 25 Civil Society Organisations. Reflecting the need for active citizenship so evident in contemporary youth discourse, the grants were aimed at increasing the participation of young people in rural areas. This article discusses two diverse projects resulting from this initiative which were evaluated by academics from University Campus Suffolk. Based in the East of England, each project received a substantial amount of public funding, approximately £600,000 and £400,000, respectively, which brought specific challenges. Each project had similar overall goals: reducing anti-social behaviour; helping young people enter education, employment or training; providing positive activities and increasing protective factors in young people - such as a demonstrable increase in emotional and social skills together with reducing the likelihood of engaging in harmful activities. This article acknowledges that both projects required a substantive amount of 'buy-in' from existing youth providers and additional stakeholders; however, differing levels of support are clearly evident in terms of actively supporting the overall goals of the projects. Whilst a considerable number of young people engaged with positive activities during this funding round, the lack of community involvement in the management of the projects may have had a negative impact upon local perceptions of young people. Sustainability of projects beyond the funding received was an area of priority for the funders. There is, however, little evidence of success for this outcome. The current expectation of local authorities to 'enable' rather than to 'provide' support is an interesting context through which to explore the varying levels of engagement stakeholders involved in these projects.