We're pleased to share 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.
The Youth-Led Creativity programme builds on young people's power to make change, use creativity to enhance their lives, develop their careers, and influence the world around them.
We’re particularly interested in supporting organisations who are collaborative and committed to learning with others to develop youth-led practice. And as with first iteration of the programme in 2024, the joy and care of young people remains a priority. We are also focusing on work that is led by, and for, young people underrepresented in arts and culture.
This includes young people who:
- are D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent
- are from communities experiencing racial inequity
- are economically or educationally disadvantaged
- identify as LGBT+
- have migration or care experience
- live outside of a big city
The programme has been co-designed with Esmée’s Involving Young People Collective, with learning from the previous Youth-Led Creativity programme taken into consideration. The Collective will play a lead role in the assessment and decision-making process for the Fund. This is to ensure the views and voices of young people are at the heart of the programme.
We will also use the Involving Young People Values to support our decision-making. The values were developed by Esmée’s Involving Young People Collective and offer guidance and learning for organisations on co-production with young people.
Please note:
- Applications open on 20 July 2026. You won't be able to submit an Expression of Interest before then.
- We are hosting a Q&A webinar on 16 July. Find more information and register here.
