Applications for the first round of the government’s Youth Investment Fund, to help charities and youth organisations expand and improve facilities, are no longer being accepted.

The first phase of the Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) funding is being distributed by BBC Children in Need and is worth £10m to invest in capital projects and small redevelopments of youth clubs and other services.

This did not have a fixed application window but “due to significant demand we have now closed applications to the fund early, as we indicated we may do,” according to BBC Children In Need.

Applications were being invited for grants of a minimum of £5,000, with most grant awards expected to be under £50,000, although larger applications are being considered.

The money must be spent by the end of March this year.

The DCMS has also confirmed that applications are no longer being accepted.

BBC Children in Need has not been able to give details on how many applications have been received and whether the process has been closed due to the number of applications or whether the total applied for has far exceeded the £10m available.

However, a BBC Children in Need spokesperson told Charity Times that the charity “will be in touch with applicants shortly to let them know the outcome of their applications”.

“Organisations which have started the application process have been contacted to provide them with the opportunity to complete their applications.”

The spokesperson added: “First and foremost, our priority is to support children and young people facing disadvantage, and we appreciate this will be disappointing news, however we would encourage projects to look out for future funding opportunities on the DCMS website.”

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