Up to six grants are available for not-for-profit projects in England that help young people (aged up to 20 years, or up to 25 years for those with additional support needs), particularly from low-income communities, take part in place-based youth social action. This could include activities like volunteering, mentoring or improving local environments.
Social action opportunities should:
- Be led by young people
- Be challenging
- Have social impact
- Help young people take part in other opportunities
- Be a regular and meaningful part of a young person's life
- Encourage young people to reflect on what they have achieved
Projects must achieve the following:
- Create place-based youth social action opportunities for young people
- Help young people engage in social action throughout their life
- Reach young people who have not taken part in regular social action activities
- Continue, even after the funding ends
- Help young people to get involved in social action, even after the funding ends
- Involve the voices of young people.
The funding can be used for a range of project and running costs.
The total amount being made available by the Government and the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) is £3 million. There is no set grant level. Match funding is required. The minimum amount that can be match funded is £200,000.
Applications will be accepted from a range of not-for-profit organisations, including charities, CIOs, CICs, constituted voluntary and community groups, clubs and organisations, schools, statutory bodies and community benefit societies.
The first step in the application process is to send an email to NLCF to initiate a conversation about the proposed project. It will take about 10 working days to arrange a conversation. Those who are eligible to apply for the funding will be sent an expression of interest form.
The deadline to submit an expression of interest is 24 September 2025.
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