Mix Mediabox, the fund awarding grants for youth-oriented media projects, is now calling for applications.

Part of Mediabox, a Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) fund for media initiatives aimed at 13-19 year-olds, Mix Mediabox is specifically designed for established organisations. Grants of up to £20,000 will be awarded to projects that encourage collaboration between young people from diverse ethnic, economic and faith backgrounds.

Making use of film, TV, advertising and radio, as well as print and online media, the projects – which must be devised and led by young people – should explore issues around identity and diversity. The eventual aim is to improve the participants’ media and social skills as well as encouraging cohesion within their communities.

Previous Mix Mediabox awardees have focused on a wide range of topics including interfaith communication, understanding between young people and adults living in the same community, young people and disability, and the sometimes challenging relationship between teenagers and figures of authority (police, social services, etc).

In the last round of Mix Mediabox, ten London organisations received funding of more than £175,000 to work with over 300 young people. Awarded projects include ‘Where I’m From’ – a media training course for underprivileged Asian girls run by Redbridge-based Muslim Women Welfare Association. 'Clubbing it' also supported through the last intake – a documentary film forming part of the ’Disability in the Community’ project, run by the Leonard Cheshire Disability in Southwark, which follows a group of disabled youngsters in their attempt to enjoy a night out.

All applications must be made online. The deadline to apply for Mix Mediabox funding is 2pm on Tuesday 9 March 2010.

For full details about Mix Mediabox, visit the Mediabox website or contact the London co-ordinator for Mediabox on mediabox@filmlondon.org.uk.