The new Home Office-backed youth advocates programme is already equipping local role models in London with key skills, according to a statement.
Topics including safeguarding, defusing conflict and substance misuse, are aimed at helping them spot warning signs and to offer guidance on how to cope in challenging situations.
The details were unveiled at a Serious Violence Taskforce meeting chaired by home secretary Sajid Javid this week.
To support the advocates' conversations with young people, adverts featuring the #knifefree hashtag will run in key London and Manchester areas.
Javid said: "Intervening early in the lives of vulnerable youngsters is key in combating the rise of serious violence.
"It's therefore vital that we communicate with them directly through the people in their communities who they respect and listen to.
"That's why the grassroots advocates programme and our #knifefree campaign are integral to the work we are doing to stop this bloodshed."
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