New £10 Million fund available for youth organisations

UK Youth announced the launch of a new £10 million open grant round for youth organisations, delivered in partnership with the Pears Foundation

Youth work plays a critical role in supporting young people to thrive. It builds confidence, improves wellbeing, and equips individuals with essential life skills that carry into adulthood. Despite this, access to youth work remains uneven across the UK, leaving many young people without the support they need.

According to UK Youth, participation in youth groups and activities continues to be shaped by inequality. Young women and girls, those living in more deprived communities and young people eligible for free school meals are significantly less likely to access youth provision. In contrast, young people from more affluent backgrounds are more likely to benefit from these opportunities, highlighting a persistent gap in access.

A New Investment in Grassroots Youth Organisations

Today, UK Youth launched a new £10 million fund, made possible by the Pears Foundation. This initiative is designed to support grassroots youth organisations through:

• Multi-year funding, providing greater financial stability

• Unrestricted grants, allowing organisations flexibility to respond to local needs

• Targeted capacity-building support, strengthening organisational resilience and impact

UK Youth emphasises that the fund has been shaped through sector insight and ongoing dialogue, with a clear commitment to IVAR principles. The approach prioritises flexibility and aims to reduce barriers in the application process, recognising the pressures on organisations’ time and resources.

Why This Matters for Wirral’s VCFSE Sector

For youth organisations across Wirral and beyond, this fund represents a significant opportunity to:

• Sustain and expand existing youth provision

• Reach underrepresented groups of young people

• Strengthen organisational capacity and long-term resilience

• Deliver more responsive, community-led support

The initiative signals a broader strategic commitment from UK Youth to strengthen infrastructure and support the wider sector.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Expression of Interest deadline: Wednesday 6th May

• Information Session: Tuesday 21th April at 2pm

Details and application guidance will be available via the UK Youth grants page and an online information session will introduce the fund, outline the application process and provide an opportunity for questions next Tuesday. You can register and access the meeting by clicking here.

Further details, including eligibility criteria and geographic focus, are available in the grant information pack. Eligibility is based on having at least one young person from a designated area, rather than strict postcode criteria, making the fund more accessible to organisations working across boundaries.

For enquiries, organisations can contact the Youth UK grants team at: grants@ukyouth.org

Keep Up To Date

You can find other opportunities for youth groups like this in our Friday Funding Bulletin, a weekly update which provides you with the latest funding news.

Click below to see the most recent edition:

www.wcvs.org.uk

This week's Funding Bulletin (April 7th - April 10th 2026)

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