UK Youth Announces £2million Covid Relief Fund

Grants of up to £50,000 to be awarded to small youth organisations based in England which have been hardest hit by the impact of Covid

UK Youth are delighted to announce that it has secured £2,000,000 in funding to support small youth organisations who have not had access to the crisis funding they require to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK Youth Fund – Covid Relief is funded through the DCMS Community Match Challenge scheme, with funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), Pears Foundation and Paul Hamlyn Foundation as part of the Government’s £750m charities package.

The grants are available to organisations that have lost funding, face the threat of closure, or had to reduce delivery or services supporting young people, and will directly support young people. Awarded organisations can use the funds to cover staff salaries, project running costs, organisational development and goods and equipment which supports delivery.

Organisations which are based and deliver work in England, with a turnover of less than £250,000, will be eligible to apply for grants of up to £50,0000 to ensure the fund can reach as many organisations as possible. The application process will be open until midday on 25th November.

UK Youth is particularly keen to hear from organisations that support young people who are most affected by systemic oppression and discrimination. This includes Black, Asian and other groups who experience racism, Deaf/disabled people and those who identify as sitting at the intersections of several minoritized identities, those who identify as LGBT+, as well as those who have not had financial support growing up.  A panel (comprising of sector experts and young people) will make the final decision on which organisations will receive funding.

UK Youth is committed to unlocking and distributing much needed investment and support to youth organisations across the UK. All applicants to the UK Youth Fund -Covid Relief will be required to complete a brief questionnaire in order to help build stronger evidence for investment in vital youth services.

Any youth organisations in England are encouraged to complete the questionnaire even if they are not eligible for this particular fund. By completing the initial questionnaire, applicants are enabling UK Youth to build a comprehensive picture of the pressure youth organisations are under and the state of youth services today. This information will empower UK  Youth to continue striving for the investment the sector needs to survive, adapt and thrive, now and long into the future.  

Lindsay Marsden, Director of Partnerships & Fundraising at UK Youth, said “We are overjoyed to launch the UK Youth Fund- Covid Relief, thanks to DCMS, Pears Foundation and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. This is a pivotal step in reaching our ambitions to channel millions of pounds of investment to the youth sector over the coming years.

“The impact of the pandemic has had a devastating impact on young people and the safe spaces which support them. The role of youth organisations has never been more needed.

“We know that COVID is having, and will continue to have, an acute impact on the sector, especially after 10 years of de-funding and lack of investment. We are hearing how many organisations are fighting for survival whilst still trying to support the young people who need their help the most. We hope this is just a start.” 

Organisations can find out how to apply and read FAQs here.

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Notes to editors:

About UK Youth

UK Youth is a leading charity that exists to ensure all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. We work with others to ensure that the youth sector is strengthened, supported, and that provision is youth-led, evidence-informed and delivers high-quality outcomes.

UK Youth plays a unique role in addressing; the lack of investment in the youth sector, the lack of cross-sector understanding in how youth work makes a difference and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions. These factors lead to mass inequality of access to youth services for young people.

Working through networks of youth organisations and supporters, we galvanise a movement of people to support our shared vision. The UK Youth Movement is open to all and currently stands at over 7,000 youth organisations and nation partners, collectively reaching 4.1 million young people. Our mission is to work as a nationwide movement  deliver innovative youth services, grow effective practice and campaign to increase support for youth work. To find out more, visit the UK Youth website or funding.ukyouth.org.

About Pears Foundation DCMS Community Match Fund

Pears Foundation is one of nineteen funders, foundations and philanthropists who are partnering with the Government’s Community Match Challenge scheme to give £11million to support frontline charities working with those most affected by Covid-19. The fund is part of the £750 million Government package to help frontline charities and those they support. Pears Foundation are working in partnership with Paul Hamlyn Foundation on the scheme. To find out more, visit Pears Foundation website

For more information please contact:  

Georgia Morian, Communications Manager

E: georgia.morian@ukyouth.org  

T: 0203 1373 810 Ext: 408