Multi-million pound fund launches to support youth groups through cost-of-living crisis
Joe Lepper
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Youth groups are being offered grants of around a tenth of their turnover to reflect the impact of double-digit inflation on their finances.
The three-year, unrestricted grants are being offered through a £5m cost-of-living fund set up by UK Youth and backed by grant maker the Pears Foundation.
It is open to organisations with an annual income of no more than £500,000.
“The fund has been launched as the UK faces the worst cost-of-living crisis since the 1950s, with young people facing a bleak future without additional support,” said UK Youth.
“The fund aims to ensure that as many vital youth services as possible are able to keep the lights on and support young people in their local community. If forced to shut down, these services may never return.”
It warns that services for young people are facing a “perfect storm of threats” caused by inflation. This includes higher demand for services, increasing running costs, shrinking funding and an exodus of volunteers in search of paid roles.
🚨 We are delighted to announce the UK Youth Fund in partnership with @PearsFoundation - our new £5-million fund to support youth organisations across the country with the #CostOfLiving crisis! 💰 Find out more about the fund here ➡️ https://t.co/y1z2s4oS8G pic.twitter.com/BQPKzVTcph
— UK Youth (@UKYouth) February 1, 2023
“Youth organisations play an essential role in helping young people to find their place in society, to support their wellbeing and development, and to realise their full potential,” said UK Youth chief executive Ndidi Okezie.
“However, in recent years, the challenges posed by the pandemic and now the worst cost-of-living crisis since the 1950s, mean that many organisations are having to go even further – often with fewer staff, less funding and increased demand. Those pressures ultimately mean less support for young people at a time when they need it most.
“We are delighted that the Pears Foundation has donated £5m as we launch the UK Youth Fund for youth organisations that are struggling. We expect a huge number of applications and know the grants will make a vital difference to thousands of young people across the country.
“But we know the next generation needs even more support – so we hope other funders, the business community, government and even individual supporters who can afford to donate, will do whatever they can to increase youth work provision for as many young people as possible.”
The fund opens at 10am on 2 February and applicants will be notified of the outcome of their bid within four to six weeks.
Pears Foundation executive chair Trevor Pears said youth clubs are “the heart” of communities adding “many of these clubs are under threat and we must act now if we are to ensure their survival”.
