Lead the Change is a new, three‑year initiative launched by BBC Children in Need, in partnership with Co‑op Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Henry Smith Foundation, Joseph Levy Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Postcode Justice Trust, UK Community Foundations and The National Lottery Community Fund. The programme supports young people to play a leading role in strengthening relationships, fostering understanding and building belonging in their communities. Research shows that many young people feel disconnected, less heard by decision makers, and increasingly cautious about expressing themselves – especially online, where exposure to harmful or misleading content can be common. Combined with financial pressures facing families and communities, these factors can deepen isolation and weaken young people’s sense of belonging. Lead the Change responds by investing directly in youth leadership, community connection and opportunity. The programme enables youth‑led projects, creates safe spaces, strengthens relationships and communities across difference, and helps young people build skills, including navigating online information and shaping positive narratives.
What the Programme Aims to Achieve Lead the Change aims to: Strengthen community connection and safety Empower young people as leaders, storytellers and changemakers Support young people to build digital literacy and challenge harmful narratives Increase opportunity through skills and leadership pathways Build a national movement for youth‑led connection and change
Key details Grant amount – £123,353 Grant length – 3 years Project Costs to support the aims and delivery of work in Manchester or Bolton which meets the criteria set out below Applicants will be required to demonstrate the strength of youth leadership and voice within their organisation, relevance to target communities and programme aims, safeguarding and trauma-informed practice, capacity to deliver and sustain impact and a commitment to the six principles of high-quality youth social action. We particularly welcome applications from organisations led by people most impacted by xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia You can apply if you are already funded by BBC Children in Need or a community foundation, but you cannot apply for the same work that is already funded (or any work already funded by another organisation)
Who Can Apply Lead the Change is open to registered not‑for‑profit organisations in the UK (in the 27 specified places listed below) that: Have an annual turnover of no more than £2million, unless you are a domestic abuse refuge or hospice Deliver work in Manchester or Bolton Work with children and young people aged 18 years and under Work in the heart of their communities and are trusted by young people Put the voices, experiences and skills of children and young people at the centre of everything they do, from design to delivery Can demonstrate strong safeguarding and trauma‑informed practice Are keen to keep learning about and developing their work with children and young people Have at least three unrelated board/governing body members
What the Programme Will Fund Lead the Change will fund work that strengthens local relationships, builds confidence and belonging, and gives young people the tools to lead change We are keen to fund an organisation that will support young people to drive positive change in their communities informed by local priorities. Projects could include: Safe spaces for young people to meet and connect – youth clubs and hubs, sports, creative and cultural spaces Youth‑led community action and resilience – co‑designed projects, leadership development, intercultural initiatives to bring people together Pathways to opportunity – skills development, mentoring and connection to training or apprenticeships Narrative change and digital literacy – tackling misinformation and disinformation, storytelling and youth-created content
What the Programme Cannot Fund Individuals Organisations without adequate safeguarding, governance or financial processes Companies limited by shares or any profit making non-charitable entity Local authorities, schools, NHS bodies, hospitals, prisons or other statutory agencies Work that statutory bodies have a duty to fund Medical treatment or research Pregnancy testing or advice, information, or counselling on pregnancy choices Work promoting religion or political parties, or any political activity or direct lobbying Political Parties Awareness-raising work, except where targeted at children or young people most at risk Capital costs or building projects Bursaries, sponsored places, fees, or similar costs Trips abroad or any activity taking place outside of the UK Holidays Retrospective costs (any work that has already taken place, or costs incurred, prior to the date of your grant offer letter) Unspecified expenditure General appeals, endowments or debt repayment Projects unable to start within three months of the grant award date Projects already funded through other means Any activity that is already being funded through another CF or CIN grant. We cannot fund the same activity twice. All applications should clearly demonstrate that they are either for different work, or for work with a different cohort of children and young people
What Applicants Must Demonstrate Close alignment with the aims of Lead the Change A track record of working within their community and ability to show how their project will create meaningful, measurable change for local children and young people. The strength of youth leadership and voice within their organisation (in design and/or delivery and/or governance) Relevance to target communities (young people impacted by xenophobia, racism, and islamophobia) and programme aims Safeguarding and trauma-informed practice, capacity to deliver and sustain impact and a commitment to the six principles of high-quality youth social action We particularly welcome applications from organisations led by people most impacted by xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia Strong local connections, including lived experience, community leadership, or volunteer involvement from the children, young people, and families they support Capacity to deliver safely and sustainably
Application Process Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) Opens: 1 April Closes: 22 April You will have three weeks to submit your EOI. The EOI is short. You’ll be asked for basic organisational information, a brief overview of your proposed work, initial safeguarding confirmation. You will be contacted by 30 April to let you know if you have been invited to make a full application. Stage 2: Full Application (Invitation Only) Invitations sent: 30 April Deadline: 28 May You will have four weeks to complete the full application. Full applications ask for more detail about your project, youth leadership, safeguarding, governance, finances and delivery plan. You will hear the outcome in mid‑late August. Forever Manchester will award one grant of £123,300 to an organisation based in either Manchester or Bolton.
If You Are Funded You will receive a grant letter and funding agreement. Projects are expected to start as soon as possible. You will join a national learning community and take part in shared learning and youth‑focused activities. Your Community Foundation will support you with monitoring and reporting.
For more information about the Lead the Change Programme, visit UKCF’s website UKCF – Lead the Change
