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Graeae Theatre

  • IYPC (2)
    20 August 2026

    Our time on the Involving Young People Collective: what we've learned

    As Dan, Mel, Francesca, Ines, Shirley, Chelbi and Aaliyah from our Involving Young People Collective come to the end of their time as consultants at Esmée, they talk about what they've learnt, what they’ve valued and how their time with the IYPC has influenced them.

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  • Text over image saying: New blog - Land truths, when the fires are burning. Image below it shows a small group of people stand beside a shallow river, surrounded by low green shrubs and grass. Picture taking on an Esmée Fairbairn Foundation visit to the E

    Land truths, when the fires are burning

    As devastating fires have spread across parts of the UK this summer, it’s clear we are already feeling the impacts of climate change. In the media, there is a debate about rewilding. Some have blamed it for the severity of the wildfires. Others have said rewilding is a solution. Who is right?

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  • IYPC

    Lessons from co-designing the Youth-Led Creativity Fund

    Louise Chandler from our Involving Young People Collective shares her reflections from the co-design process for the Youth-Led Creativity Fund and what it taught her about power, responsibility and youth-leadership.

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  • White wall with lots of colourful post-it notes

    What do people think about Esmée Fairbairn Foundation 2026

    Read the key findings from a 2026 survey of successful and unsuccessful applicants on their experiences of working with Esmée, alongside what we plan to do in response.

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  • Gina Crane standing in the woods

    People can’t build for the future while they're fighting fires

    In Gina Crane’s final project for Esmée, she has been working with Oliver French to pull together six years of learning about Esmée’s strategy for Trustees. In this blog, Gina shares the challenges organisations we fund are facing and shares three things she'd like funders to do.

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  • The Warren Youth Project crew in Hull after their Good Night Out Campaign training session

    Pre-application Q&A webinar: 28 September 2026

    We're hosting a pre-application Q&A webinar on 28 September at 2pm for organisations interested in applying to Esmée for support who have questions about our application process or guidance.

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  • annual report 2025

    Annual Report and Accounts 2025

    Our 2025 Annual Report and Accounts gives an overview of our funding, investments and operations during the year.

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  • People working together on a building project as part of WeCanMake's Festival of Making Together in 2025

    Social and affordable housing: Investment deep dive

    An investment deep dive on social and affordable housing in the UK, giving an overview of the challenges facing the sector as well as both the impact and the investment opportunity for asset allocators. It also offers guidance on community-centred approaches.

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  • 16

    Applying for Youth-Led Creativity funding

    See the guidance for applying to the Youth-Led Creativity Fund. Co-designed with Esmée's Involving Young People Collective, we expect to make 12 to 16 grants, totalling £2m, over 2026 and 2027, and will be focusing our support on organisations based in and working in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

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  • Caroline.png

    Dame Caroline Mason to step down as Chief Executive of Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

    After 13 years leading the Foundation as our Chief Executive, Dame Caroline Mason will be stepping down from her role in early 2027. Caroline has developed and strengthened the Foundation’s work in lasting ways and her influence has spread far beyond Esmée.

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