About this Funding:
UK Youth has announced that the UK Youth Fund is now open for expressions of interest, offering a new £10 million grant round for small youth and outdoor learning organisations across the UK. Delivered in partnership with Pears Foundation, the programme will provide multi-year unrestricted funding alongside capacity-building support. UK Youth is the national organisation for the UK Youth sector, working to strengthen the sector nationally.
The UK Youth Fund aims to strengthen the financial resilience and organisational capacity of smaller grassroots Youth groups and outdoor learning organisations so they can continue delivering safe, dependable and inclusive youth provision. It is intended for organisations working with young people, particularly in under-resourced communities, and prioritises those delivering services in eligible areas across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Eligible applicants include charitable organisations, not-for-profits and CICs with turnover below £500,000, at least two years’ operating history, and a primary purpose of benefiting young people, with at least 70% of beneficiaries aged 8 to 25. Grants are worth up to 10% of annual turnover over three years. Funding can support:
- core and staffing costs
- general youth work delivery
- basic necessities for young people
- training, development and sustainability work.
Applications are through a two-stage process. Expressions of interest close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 6 May 2026. Shortlisted groups will then be invited to submit full applications by 3 June 2026.
Useful Links:
Funding Criteria:
Eligible applicants include charitable organisations, not-for-profits and CICs with turnover below £500,000, at least two years’ operating history, and a primary purpose of benefiting young people, with at least 70% of beneficiaries aged 8 to 25.
