A £70 million fund set up to encourage youth volunteering projects is seeking applications for grants up to a value of £100,000.

Youth volunteering charity v has called for community groups and voluntary organisations to apply for the grants, which will be afforded to those encouraging youth action and engagement.

The charity, which marked its first anniversary in May, has been formed using a new fundraising model allowing contributions from the private sector which are then matched by the government.

Terry Ryall, chief executive, comments: "The funding will create a vibrant and coherent infrastructure for youth volunteering in England, as well as stimulate the creation of innovative volunteering opportunities that will capture the imagination of young people, harnessing their skills and talents to make a difference in their communities."

Earlier this month the charity published the results of a survey suggesting that a lack of time and knowledge on how to get involved prevented them from greater engagement in voluntary work.