What we will and won't fund

What this could look like:

• Intentional about exploring and expanding what youth-led creativity looks like in a curious and open-minded way.
• Uses the arts and creative practice to create change, as identified and led by young people.
• Builds artistic and creative leadership in young people so they can be artists and change-makers.

What this could look like:

• Considers who holds power over decisions, money, strategy, priorities, and direction. Goes beyond involving young people and is moving towards ownership by young people.
• Is experimental, imaginative, challenging and innovative in their approach to youth leadership in practice.
• Involves adults but only if they are willing to be challenged, let go of certainty and control, accept risk and discomfort, support rather than direct.

Examples of practical strategies towards youth-leadership:

• Primary or shared decision-making authority
• Democratic or collective governance models
• Transparent power-sharing agreements
• Delegated authority with training and support

What this looks like:

• Committed to, representative of, and accountable to the community it serves – particularly those who face barriers due to systemic inequity.

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 in a rural area

What we mean by joy and care:

• Care: an active, collective practice rooted in empathy, equity, and shared responsibility. It recognises people’s different needs, values lived experiences, and prioritises wellbeing — mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual.
• Joy: a shared and embodied experience of lightness, connection, and meaning, emerging when people feel safe, valued, and free to be themselves.

What this could look like:

• Shows a deep understanding of care and joy that is shaped by young people and is at the centre of their approach
• Takes a holistic approach, giving thought to all aspects of wellbeing (physical, emotional, financial, spiritual)
• Young people are supported as whole beings and not measured by productivity
• Allows space for difficult conversations, shared and differing lived experiences, and meaningful connection.
• Shows the importance of fun, making space for socialisation without strict outcomes
• Makes efforts to bring joy and positive energy into the environment and the work

What this could look like:

• Understands their role in their community as well as a wider ecosystem; and the importance of collaboration in creating change more widely.
• Is ambitious and committed to contributing to the development of youth-led practice beyond their organisation.
• Has examples of collaboration and/or learning with others about youth-led practice.

We can fund organisations who have a constitution. This includes:

• Charities
• Community interest companies (CICs)
• Community benefit societies
• Social enterprises.

For organisations that are not registered charities, we want to know what measures they put in place to guard against disproportionate ‘personal benefit’. Some organisations such as CICs have protections against personal benefit built into their Articles of Association – others can choose to add these. An example is an ‘asset lock’ – a set of rules that determine what assets can be used for.

Organisations must be headquartered and deliver the majority of their work in one or more of these nations. The funding is intended to strengthen youth-led arts and culture ecosystems in these places, so applicants should be able to demonstrate a clear and established presence within the communities they serve.

The organisation's core purpose should be centred on arts, creativity and culture, using creative practice as a key tool to support young people, amplify their voices, and create positive change. While activities may also deliver wider social outcomes, arts and creativity should remain at the heart of the organisation's mission and work.

Organisations must have an annual income exceeding £50,000, based on their most recent financial year. This helps ensure applicants have the organisational capacity and financial infrastructure to manage the size and duration of grants available through the programme.

Defined as work that falls within one of 13 descriptions of charitable purposes and is for the public benefit

Funding is not available for activities that form part of the statutory school curriculum or are delivered as a core element of formal education. The programme is intended to support youth-led, creative work that takes place outside of compulsory curriculum delivery.

We do not give grants to individuals. Individuals, freelancers, artists or unincorporated groups are not eligible to apply directly, although they may be involved in projects delivered by an eligible organisation.

The programme does not fund capital expenditure such as purchasing buildings, refurbishment projects, major renovations or equipment purchases. Funding is intended to support programme delivery, core organisational costs and project activity rather than physical infrastructure.

We do not fund academic research unless it can demonstrate real potential for practical outcomes.

We do not fund clinical healthcare. This includes: medical research, hospices, counselling and therapy, arts therapy, education about and treatment for drug and alcohol misuse.

We do not fund work by fee-paying schools.

We do not fund services that are ordinarily the responsibility of public bodies, such as social services for children or older people.

Organisations may have a faith background, but funding cannot support activities whose primary purpose is to promote, advance or encourage religious belief or practice.