Further £12 million boost for youth projects

Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan has said that youth projects across the country will receive a £12 million boost as part of the government’s commitment to level up opportunities for young people.

The investment includes up to £7 million for a Youth Accelerator Fund that will expand existing successful projects, and address urgent needs in the youth sector by delivering extra sessions in youth clubs, and promoting positive activities in sport and the arts to help young people develop skills and contribute to their communities.

A further £5 million will also be invested in the #iwill Fund to encourage 10 to 20 year olds to take part in social action, such as volunteering in their communities by funding groups delivering these programmes. The #iwill fund, also funded by the National Lottery Community Fund,has so far created over 500,000 opportunities for young people since it was launched in 2016.

Morgan said: “I have big ambitions for what this government can achieve for young people - inspiring them to grow in confidence and employability, building their character and resilience, while transforming life chances through sports and the arts.

“We will use this immediate investment to benefit young people in as many local areas as possible. This will pave the way for the ambitious, long-term infrastructure plans for our youth services that we will deliver over the next five years - led by the views of young people and those that work with them. If we wish to use all the great talent in our country it is vital that we offer opportunities to our next generation, not just in school but outside the school day.”

Chancellor Said Javid recently announced a new £500 million Youth Investment Fund for the five years from April 2020, to give young people somewhere to go, something positive to do and someone to speak to. Half of the £500 million Youth Investment Fund will be used to fund new youth centres, refurbish existing facilities and create more mobile clubs, with the remainder funding a range of activities that teach important life skills, such as digital skills, culture, sport and social action as well as investment in the youth work profession so young people have a trusted person they can turn to.