Application Tips There are four major steps to the Youth Venture process: Idea, Action Plan, Selection Panel and Team Profile. GenV is full of tools to help you through the process and there are Youth Venture staff you can contact for additional help along the way.

First things first, be sure to join GenV so that you can benefit from all the valuable resources offered. It's simple, just click the "Join Now" button on the left of the screen.

Step 1: Idea

Your idea is the most important part of your Venture. Think of a problem or issue in your community and develop a plan to fix it. The issue should be one you are excited and passionate about, so that you are motivated to continue it. Your Venture will be more successful if you choose an idea you are passionate about.

If you need help coming up with an idea, check out these tools. Or you can take a look at Team profiles to give you an idea of what other youth are doing.

Your idea must:

• involve youth ages 12-20
• be community benefiting
• be sustainable - designed to be long lasting
• have clear, attainable goals and a realistic budget
• involve a non-controlling adult Ally
• be youth created and led
• involve a strong Team of at least two people
• be a new club or organization

Step 2: Action Plan

The Action Plan is designed to help you prepare your Venture. It requires you to think ahead and map out your idea.

The Action Plan is your application for the grant. You can download and email or mail it to our New England office. You can also submit it by clicking the Launch YV Team button on the left. Put in your Team name and make sure to select New England from the Submit to this regional office drop-down menu.

There are two different formats of our Action Plan: Worksheet and Narrative. The Worksheet Format is recommended for those who prefer to present their ideas in a worksheet, while the Narrative Format is for those who prefer to write essays.

When you’re working on your Action Plan, you may have some questions. Youth Venture has a lot of tools to help you. Check them out by clicking on the “Dream It” button at the top of this page. If you can’t find the help you need there, you can always get in touch with us.

After you've submitted the Action Plan, Youth Venture staff will review it and may suggest revisions. These revisions are to help you prepare for Selection Panel.

Step 3: Selection Panel

When the Youth Venture staff feels that your Action Plan is complete, you'll be ready for Selection Panel. A Selection Panel is a small group of community members who will determine if your Team is ready to launch. You will have 10 minutes to present your idea to the Panel, and then the floor will open up for questions. Your Venture will be judged on a set of criteria.

The Youth Venture staff will provide you with necessary tools to prepare your Team for Panel; we would not send you if we did not feel you are ready.

Step 4: Team Profile

Once your Team has been approved, you will need to create a Team profile on Genv. Be sure to join the New England network. This will link you to other New England Teams and like-minded youth around the world.