The Involving Young People Fund launches this May in Wakefield and Barnsley, putting young people in the lead to fund projects that tackle the issues they care about most.
We are delighted to announce the launch of the Involving Young People Fund (IYPF)! Conceived and developed by the Involving Young People Collective, with support from Hudl Youth Development Agency, the IYPF was born from a desire to test participatory grant-making tools whilst supporting young people to make decisions on the issues that affect their lives the most.
Working in partnership with Leeds Community Foundation, The Youth Association, and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the IYPF will open its first round of funding in Wakefield and Barnsley in May. By focusing on a specific area, we can explore a place-led approach to youth-led change and decision-making, one that deeply engages with local communities to ensure that their unique needs and perspectives are at the forefront.
Youth-led funding decisions for local impact
The IYPF will award nine one-year £10k grants to projects that tackle key challenges young people in Wakefield and Barnsley face with a Youth Panel of young people aged 16 to 23 from the local community making the final decisions on how the funding is allocated. More information about the funding, including the guidance and application process, will be shared when it launches in May.
The Involving Young People Fund aims to set a new standard for youth participation in grant-making. Driven by a belief that youth participation is not just ‘nice to have’ but essential for better decision-making, the IYPF’s partners have emphasised empowerment, time and opportunities to learn, and explicit trust in the knowledge and expertise of young people. The result is a Fund which is not only committed to youth leadership itself, but also hopes to invest in youth involvement across the charity and grant-making sectors.
Applications to the Involving Young People Fund open on Wednesday 7th May 2025.
Over the coming months, consultants from the Involving Young People Collective will be sharing their insights into what is required for effective youth involvement in grant-making, including:
- Youth training youth - young people training their peers, combining their expertise and their first-hand knowledge of stepping into grant-making for the first time
- Sustainable participation - how to create models of youth involvement which have longevity
- Creating equitable spaces - which enable young people from all backgrounds to fully participate and lead
- Flipping grant-making models - where young people get sign off for their ideas rather than work to fit within existing frameworks
- Empowering young people at all levels - creating multiple opportunities for engagement, influence and leadership.
- Dedicating time and resources - providing spaces for young people to learn at a pace that suits them so they can fully understand and participate in the process.
Reflections from those involved
“The IYPF has been an amazing opportunity for us to do participatory grant making in the way we had always imagined, led by our 10 Values for Co-Production from design to delivery. Our partnership recognises the power within young people, shown by our unique model of young people leading delivery of our small-scale, place-based fund. This project has been a learning opportunity for everyone involved such as facilitators, partners and participants learning new skills and creating a youth led funding space. We have listened to the young people at every step of this process to ensure their voice shaped this fund. “
Involving Young People Collective Delivery Team
“The Involving Young People Fund has brought out our enthusiasm. They've trusted us to bring a fresh perspective to the fund and we trust them to support us. I'm certain they will inspire our lifelong commitment to charitable giving.”
Maria, Involving Young People Fund Panel
“This is more than just a funding programme — it’s a shift in power. The Involving Young People Fund is showing what’s possible when young people with lived experience are trusted to lead decisions about where money goes in their communities. By embedding youth voice at every level and focusing on place-based change, we’re not just funding projects — we’re influencing how the grant-making sector sees young people: as experts, leaders, and changemakers.”
Floree Zama-Neagra, Senior Associate, HUDL Youth Development Agency
“This project has also shown the strength of partnership. Working alongside national funders like Esmée Fairbairn, local support through Leeds Community Foundation and coordination by HUDL has created a genuinely collaborative and place-based approach. It’s a model that brings together the best of national reach, local knowledge, and youth voice. We’re proud to have been a part of it!”
Dmitry Fedotov, CEO at The Youth Association
“This initiative is a vital step in empowering young people across Barnsley and Wakefield, ensuring their voices are at the heart of projects that tackle key challenges such as mental health, homelessness and LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Through this fund, we’re committed to supporting community-led initiatives that not only provide essential services but also actively involve young people in shaping their futures. We believe that when young people are given the tools and opportunities to lead, real and lasting change happens.”
Shahed Molvi, Head of Grants at Leeds Community Foundation
“Trying to make positive change happen in a place is complex and making decisions about who gets funded or not is challenging. We’re so impressed with the way the Youth Panel has been open to grappling with these questions that trusts and foundations have daily, over a short period with such care and attention. We’re looking forward to continuing learning from each other and are excited to see how the Fund develops.”
Veda Harrison, Director of Creative, Confident Communities at Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
