The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation’s Youth-Led Creativity programme, which has a budget of £1 million in 2024, builds on young people's power to make change, use creativity to enhance their lives, develop their careers, and influence the world around them.

The Foundation is focusing its support on work led by and for young people who have less access to creative programmes or who are underrepresented in the arts and culture. This includes young people who:

o Are D/deaf, disabled or neuro-divergent.
o Are from communities experiencing racial inequity.
o Are economically or educationally disadvantaged.
o Identify as LGBT+, and/or
o Have migration or care experience.

The programme has been co-designed with the Foundation's Involving Young People Collective. A panel of young consultants will play a key role in the assessment process for the Fund. This is to ensure the views and voices of young people are at the heart of the programme.

The Foundation held a Question-and-Answer session on the Fund in early February. A recording of the session is available on YouTube,

Revenue grants (the Fund does not support capital projects) of up to £120,000 are available for project or core costs. Grants can be awarded for either a single year or for up to 3 years (grants around the maximum level of £120,000 are likely to be awarded for 3 years rather than for 1 or 2 years). The Foundation expects to award around 10 grants from the programme during 2024. Applications from two or more organisations working collaboratively are encouraged.

Organisations that meet the following criteria may apply for a grant:

1. Are driven and shaped by young people so they can build their confidence and skills. Most of the young people supported need to be aged 14 to 30.
2. Are driving change for the future either by doing something new, or by using tried and tested models to push things forward.
3. Prioritise the joy and care of young people.
4. Understand and can demonstrate a track record of centring the voices of young people from communities underrepresented in arts and culture. This includes young people who are D/deaf, disabled or neuro-divergent, are from communities experiencing racial inequity, are economically disadvantaged, identify as LGBT+, have migration and/or care experience, and
5. Use art and creativity as a tool for young people to use their voice and influence to advocate for change in their own lives and the world around them.

Funding is not available for:

o Academic research (unless it can demonstrate real potential for practical outcomes).
o Capital costs including building work, renovations and equipment.
o Healthcare with a clinical basis, including medical research, hospices, counselling and therapy, arts therapy, education about and treatment for drug and alcohol misuse.
o Independent education.
o Individuals.
o Organisations that are not registered charities or do not have an asset lock or other way to make sure that the assets of an organisation, including profits or surpluses generated, can only be used for the benefit of its community or to further its activities and mission.
o Organisations that cannot demonstrate strong youth leadership or have not yet started to become youth-led.
o Organisations that do not have at least three non-executive trustees or directors.
o The advancement of religion.
o Work that does not have a direct benefit in the UK. 
o Work that is not legally charitable.
o Work that is part of the school curriculum, or
o Work that is primarily the responsibility of statutory authorities to provide using public funds (for example, social services for children and older people).

To apply, eligible organisations should:

1. Submit an online Expression of Interest by 5pm on Friday 15th March 2024.
2. Applicants successful at the Expression of Interest stage will be invited to submit a Full Application and discuss their project proposal with a representative of the Foundation.

Successful Expression of Interest applicants are expected to be notified in May 2024, while decision on Full Applications are expected to be communicated to applicants by the start of October 2024.

Further information, guidance and details about how to apply is available on the Foundation’s website.