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Funders collaborate in Sunderland to support young people to build stronger local communities
Today, 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 have announced the launch of Lead the Change. This new £3,400,000 three-year initiative aims to empower young people to play a leading role in fostering understanding and strengthening relationships within communities. It will award 20 large grants over three years to support targeted local work across 27 identified localities.
Community Foundation North East will deliver Lead the Change in Sunderland
The fund will support an organisation to work with young people to provide safe spaces where young people can come together to share experiences, build positive relationships and take the lead in building stronger communities. The programme will develop young people’s strengths and leadership through workshops, mentoring and community-led projects. They will be equipped with new skills and knowledge to address misinformation and tackle the harmful narratives leading to division in their everyday lives and on social media.
An expression of interest form will be available on the Community Foundation website in April.
To prepare for your expression of interest you can read the full guidelines here.
You can read more about the programme on the Children in Need website here.
You can see which other areas and Community Foundations are involved on the UK Community Foundations website here.
Fozia Irfan OBE, Interim Chief Officer for Children and Families at BBC Children in Need, said:
“We believe that it is vital that young people are empowered to lead conversations around the future of their communities and the divisions they face. Through this initiative we hope to provide the tools and platforms to support young people to address these issues. We are not just investing in their future; we are investing in a more inclusive and compassionate society with young people leading the way.
This work has only been made possible through collaborating with other funders who share a commitment to youth voice and community empowerment. By coming together, we have been able to work towards ambitious, long-term efforts that would not be possible to achieve alone. Working in partnership strengthens our possible impact but it also reflects the very values of connection and cooperation that we hope to foster through this work.”
Rob Williamson, Chief Executive at Community Foundation North East, said:
“Community Foundations are at the heart of place-based grant making so we are delighted to be working with Children in Need and all the funding partners to deliver Lead the Change in Sunderland. We know the value of giving young people a voice in their communities and the difference it can make to them and their communities as a result. We have also seen the impact of the reduction in youth services in recent years and the effect it can have on young people’s lives. This fund will support young people to make a difference and bring their communities together.”