Applying for Youth-Led Creativity funding

Illustrations by Art of Birdie

13 July 2026

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, using 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

Click the links below to see the guidance and to watch a Q&A webinar about the programme.

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