Young people in the UK face challenges like feeling unheard, disconnected, and affected by issues such as racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and online misinformation. The Lead the Change Grant 2026 offers a strong solution with £123,353 in funding for youth-led community projects. This grant, run by BBC Children in Need and partners like Co-op Foundation and The National Lottery Community Fund, helps organizations empower young people to build safer, more connected communities.
About the Lead the Change Programme
The Lead the Change Grant 2026 tackles the isolation many young people experience due to social pressures and financial hardship. It supports projects that let youth lead change, strengthen community ties, and fight harmful narratives. Funded groups will help young people build relationships, feel safer, gain leadership skills, improve digital literacy, and access mentoring and job pathways.
Grant Value and Duration
Each successful organization receives £123,353 over three years. This funding period gives groups time to create lasting programs. It focuses on youth leadership, inclusion, and community safety.
What the Grant Will Fund
The grant backs activities that build confidence and local connections. Projects can cover safe spaces, leadership training, opportunity pathways, and digital skills.
Safe Spaces for Young People
These include youth clubs, sports programs, creative hubs, cultural spaces, and community events. Such spaces help young people connect and feel secure.
Youth Leadership and Social Action
Funds support youth-led campaigns, co-designed projects, leadership programs, and intercultural work. These build skills for positive change.
Pathways to Opportunity
Activities cover skills training, mentoring, employability programs, and apprenticeships. They open doors to future success.
Digital Literacy and Narrative Change
Projects tackle misinformation, harmful online content, storytelling, and youth-made media. This helps young people challenge negative narratives.
Who Can Apply?
Not-for-profit organizations in eligible UK areas can apply if they meet key rules. They need an annual turnover under £2 million, at least three unrelated trustees, and work with youth aged 18 and under. Groups must be trusted locally, have strong safeguarding, use trauma-informed methods, include youth voice, and deliver long-term impact. Applications from leaders affected by racism, xenophobia, or Islamophobia are welcome.
Ineligible Applicants and Costs
Individuals, for-profit groups, local authorities, schools, NHS bodies, prisons, and housing associations cannot apply. The grant skips political or religious campaigns, medical costs, holidays, overseas trips, debt, past expenses, big capital builds, or already funded work.
Application Process
Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)
Applications started on 1 April 2026. Submit through your local community foundation, as deadlines vary by area. Shortlisted groups hear back by 30 April 2026.
Stage 2: Full Application (Invitation Only)
Invites go out in May 2026, with at least four weeks to apply. Final decisions come in mid to late August 2026.
Eligible Areas
The program serves places like Belfast, Birmingham, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Bristol, Darlington, Hartlepool, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Rotherham, Sheffield, Southampton, Southport, Sunderland, Tamworth, Weymouth, and Aldershot.
Why You Should Apply
This grant joins a national push for youth leadership and community change. It offers more than money: it builds sustainable impact through youth action. If your group works with young people, this can create real local results.
Check deadlines with your local community foundation. For details, visit this page. Apply here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lead the Change Grant 2026?
This grant provides £123,353 over three years to support youth-led projects that build safer communities and fight issues like racism and online misinformation in the UK.
Who can apply for the grant?
Not-for-profit groups in eligible UK areas with under £2 million turnover, at least three trustees, and experience working with youth aged 18 and under can apply if they follow safeguarding rules.
What does the grant fund?
It funds safe spaces like youth clubs, leadership training, skills programs for jobs, and digital literacy to tackle harmful online content.
How do I apply?
Submit an Expression of Interest from 1 April 2026 through your local community foundation; shortlisted groups get invited for full applications in May.