Lead the Change Grant 2026 in the UK – £123,353 for Youth-Led Projects
Country: UK
Funding: £123,353 per organisation
Duration: 3 years
Category: Grant
Deadline: Varies by community foundation; shortlisted applicants contacted by 30 April 2026
Apply Through: Relevant community foundation
Official Page: UK Community Foundations
The Lead the Change Grant 2026 is a three-year funding opportunity in the UK for not-for-profit organisations working with young people. It supports youth-led community projects that build stronger relationships, improve digital literacy, and help young people lead positive change in their communities. The grant offers £123,353 per organisation and is launched by BBC Children in Need with several partner foundations and funders.
Lead the Change Grant 2026 Overview
The Lead the Change Grant 2026 responds to concerns that many young people feel unheard, disconnected, and excluded from decision-making. It is designed to support organisations that work on youth leadership, belonging, inclusion, and harmful narratives affecting young people. In addition, the programme aims to help young people feel safer, build community relationships, and access new opportunities.
What the Lead the Change Grant 2026 Supports
The grant will fund projects that strengthen local relationships and help young people lead change in their communities. Eligible activities mentioned in the source include safe spaces, youth leadership, pathways to opportunity, and digital literacy work.
✓ Youth clubs
✓ Sports programmes
✓ Creative hubs
✓ Cultural spaces
✓ Community connection activities
✓ Youth-led campaigns
✓ Co-designed community projects
✓ Leadership development programmes
✓ Intercultural initiatives
✓ Skills development
✓ Mentoring
✓ Employability training
✓ Apprenticeship connections
✓ Tackling misinformation
✓ Challenging harmful narratives
✓ Storytelling projects
✓ Youth-created media content
Eligibility for the Lead the Change Grant 2026
Applicants must be not-for-profit organisations operating in eligible UK areas. They must also meet the criteria listed in the source. The programme particularly welcomes organisations led by people most impacted by xenophobia, racism, and Islamophobia.
• Annual turnover under £2 million
• Minimum of three unrelated trustees
• Work with children and young people aged 18 and under
• Trusted within their communities
• Strong safeguarding systems
• Trauma-informed approach
• Youth voice embedded in planning and delivery
• Capacity to deliver long-term impact
What the Grant Does Not Fund
The grant does not support every type of project. The source clearly states that the following are not funded:
• Individuals
• Profit-making organisations
• Local authorities, schools, NHS bodies, prisons
• Housing associations
• Political or religious campaigning
• Medical treatment or research
• Holidays or overseas trips
• Debt repayment
• Retrospective costs
• Large capital projects
• Already funded activities
Application Process for Lead the Change Grant 2026
The application process has two stages. First, organisations must submit an Expression of Interest through their relevant community foundation. Second, shortlisted organisations are invited to complete the full application. The source says applications opened on 1 April 2026.
• Apply through the relevant community foundation
• Check local deadlines, as they vary by location
• Shortlisted organisations will be contacted by 30 April 2026
• Successful EOI applicants will receive invitations in May 2026
• Applicants will have at least four weeks to complete the full application
• Final funding decisions are expected in mid to late August 2026
Eligible Areas
The programme covers selected locations across the UK, including 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.
Deadline
The source states that Expression of Interest deadlines vary by community foundation. However, shortlisted applicants will be contacted by 30 April 2026, full applications will open in May 2026, and final funding decisions are expected in mid to late August 2026.
