The government has launched a new capital grants programme to support not-for-profit youth organisations in some of England’s most deprived areas.
Launched today, the Better Youth Spaces fund targets areas with high levels of income deprivation affecting children and is delivered by Social Investment Business (SIB).
The fund, which totals £30.5m, is to be used for small-scale capital projects ranging from £5,000 to £100,000, including capital equipment and small refurbishment.
The projects must help youth organisations better support the young people they work with and meet at least one of the fund’s objectives.
It aims to improve the reach of activities provided, safety of existing youth facilities, youth sector’s capacity and quality to deliver a range of enrichment activities and financial sustainability of youth facilities.
Meanwhile, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced the reopening of the Million Hours Fund, a £19m joint funding initiative that supports youth work and activities.
42 priority areas
SIB said the fund will be for youth organisations located in 42 priority areas of England and will fund these priority areas based on youth need.
Applicants must be not-for-profit organisations, with at least 50% of their provision being for children and young people aged up to 18.
“A significant proportion of that provision must be open access youth provision for children and young people aged 11 to 18 years (or up to 25 years if they have special educational needs or disabilities, are leaving care, or considered ‘at risk’ or vulnerable),” SIB said.
The government selected the priority areas based on the income deprivation affecting children index at upper upper-tier local authority level.
A list of these areas can be found in the frequently asked questions, but SIB said the easiest and most reliable way to check eligibility” is to use its eligible postcode checker.
Applications that include refurbishment will have a short, fixed window to apply, which will close on 31 August.
The deadline for all other applications is 21 September, with the fund closing earlier if “heavily oversubscribed”.
All grants must be spent and evidenced by 30 January 2026 or earlier, as agreed with individual grantees.
‘A real boost for youth services’
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said: “We’ve heard loud and clear from young people that they need access to spaces where they can develop their talents, build confidence, and build relationships.
“As part of our Plan for Change, we’re investing over £30m directly into youth facilities across our communities this year.
“This will allow young people to have a supportive environment to help them make their ambitions a reality.
“For too long, young people have been an afterthought, but through the National Youth Strategy, we have carried out the biggest listening exercise with young people in a generation, giving them the opportunity to shape the policies that will affect their lives.”
Nick Temple, chief executive of SIB, said: “We’re excited to be partnering with DCMS to launch Better Youth Spaces to support youth services in priority areas in England.
“Through a combination of funding refurbishment projects and providing new equipment, it will create opportunities for young people to participate in a whole range of enrichment activities across sports, music and cultural activities.
“The fund will also help to expand access, create safer spaces, and make youth services more sustainable.
“This is a real boost for youth services in some of the communities which need it most, creating lasting impact for young people’s wellbeing.”
Million Hours Fund
Separately, the National Lottery Community Fund and DCMS announced that they have reopened the Million Hours Fund, which first opened in summer 2023 to provide extra youth work hours and activities over the summer holidays.
The new round, which opens today, is co-funded with £12m of government funding to be spent by 31 March 2026, and £7m of National Lottery funding to be spent by 31 March 2027.
The programme aims to deliver “over a million additional hours of youth work and positive activities in areas across England experiencing higher rates of anti-social behaviour, with the aim to support young people’s wellbeing and development”.
It will help local youth organisations expand their services and support young people aged 10 to 18 and up to 25 for those with disabilities or special educational needs.
Projects must take place in, or benefit young people in, one of the designated areas with higher levels of antisocial behaviour and involve young people in shaping how activities are delivered.
Applications must be submitted by 22 October. More information can be found here.
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