Youth Funding Opportunities UK 2025: £890 Million for Young People
Empower young people with dedicated funding for youth organizations, development programs, and initiatives that support the next generation's potential.
Major Youth Funding Opportunities 2025
National Lottery Community Fund
Supports youth groups working to improve lives and strengthen communities. Funds projects lasting 1-5 years with clear community benefit.
Key Requirements:
- • Charitable purposes or community benefit
- • Clear need and demand evidence
- • Sustainable impact beyond funding
- • Strong community connections
Youth Investment Fund
Dedicated funding for youth-led organizations and projects that address local priorities identified by young people themselves.
Key Requirements:
- • Youth-led governance (51% under 25)
- • Local needs assessment
- • Partnership working evidence
- • Measurable youth outcomes
Youth Funding by Category
Education & Skills Development
Prince's Trust Grants
Up to £5,000 for education, training, and business start-up support for disadvantaged young people aged 11-30.
Skills for Life Fund
£10,000-£100,000 for programs developing essential life skills in young people aged 16-25.
Youth Employment Fund
£25,000-£250,000 for employment training and job placement programs for young people.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Young Minds Grant
£2,000-£15,000 for youth mental health support services and peer support programs.
Resilience Fund
£5,000-£50,000 for building resilience and coping skills in young people facing adversity.
Youth Wellbeing Initiative
£15,000-£75,000 for holistic wellbeing programs addressing multiple aspects of youth development.
Sport & Recreation
Sport England Youth Fund
£1,000-£25,000 for grassroots sport programs engaging young people in physical activity.
Adventure Capital Fund
£500-£5,000 for outdoor adventure activities and residential experiences for young people.
Youth Sport Development
£10,000-£100,000 for developing youth sport facilities and coaching programs.
Application Success Strategies
Essential Application Elements
- Youth Voice Evidence:
Demonstrate meaningful youth participation in project design and delivery.
- Outcome Measurement:
Clear metrics for measuring impact on young people's lives and development.
- Partnership Working:
Evidence of collaboration with other youth organizations and statutory services.
- Sustainability Planning:
How the project will continue beyond the funding period.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Adult-Led Design:
Projects designed by adults without meaningful youth input typically fail.
- Vague Outcomes:
Generic benefits rather than specific, measurable improvements for young people.
- Inadequate Safeguarding:
Weak safeguarding policies and procedures for working with young people.
- Unrealistic Timescales:
Insufficient time for relationship building and trust development with young people.
Funding Calendar 2025
January - March
- National Lottery Opens
- Youth Investment Fund
- Prince's Trust Applications
April - June
- Sport England Youth
- Skills for Life Fund
- Mental Health Grants
July - September
- Youth Employment Fund
- Community Foundation
- Arts Council Youth
October - December
- Youth Wellbeing Initiative
- Winter Emergency Fund
- Next Year Planning
Get Your Youth Funding Application Written
Youth funding requires demonstrating positive outcomes for young people and engaging delivery methods. Crafty creates applications that show real youth impact and development.
Start Youth Application