The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund has opened a grants round aimed at supporting community organisations providing direct services or advocacy for young refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK.

Recognising that children and young people seeking sanctuary in the UK are vulnerable and face particular difficulties accessing mainstream services, community organisations working with this group are being invited to apply for funds in order to build an infrastructure of support.

Led by the Fund’s Refugee and Asylum Seekers Initiative which is focusing on changing policy to meet international standards on children’s rights, this funding scheme will better equip community organisations to conduct advocacy at a local level, which is viewed as crucial for raising awareness and influencing policy makers to take action.

Details of eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found on the Fund’s website.

The deadline for first stage applications is 12 September 2008.