UK Community Foundations has launched Lead the Change, a new three-year grant programme focused on young people. It is being delivered in partnership with BBC Children in Need and other major charitable funders.
The programme aims to strengthen community connections and improve safety while supporting young people in reconnecting with their communities, becoming leaders, storytellers, and changemakers.
It also focuses on building digital skills so young people can challenge harmful online content, increasing opportunities through skills and leadership development, and creating a national movement led by young people.
Registered not-for-profit organisations that are community-based and trusted by young people are eligible to apply. Grants of up to £123,300 are available for projects lasting up to three years.
Eligible activities that can be funded include:
- Safe spaces for young people to meet and connect, such as youth clubs, sports, creative and cultural spaces.
- Youth‑led community action and resilience, including co‑designed projects, leadership development, intercultural initiatives to bring people together.
- Pathways to opportunity, such as skills development, mentoring, training and connection to training or apprenticeships.
- Narrative change and digital literacy that might involve tackling misinformation and disinformation, storytelling and youth-created content.
Applicants must work with young people who have experienced local tensions or division. They must also involve young people in designing and delivering activities.
Organisations need to be based in, or work within, one of the 27 eligible areas supported by participating community foundations. Nottinghamshire is one of the areas covered by this programme.
The application process will begin with a short expression of interest, which opens on 1 April 2026 and runs for three weeks.
Selected organisations will then be invited to submit a full application in May.
Each participating community foundation will award one or two grants, although most will award one. Final decisions are expected in late August. Full guidance, including detailed eligibility and funding criteria, will be published soon.