Alliance for Youth Organising Anchor Grants Program (UK)

Deadline: 26-Jan-2026

The Alliance for Youth Organising offers Anchor Grants to UK-based organisations with a strong track record in supporting youth organising. Grants provide flexible, multi-year funding to strengthen youth power, expand access to youth-led initiatives, and support organisational sustainability.

Overview of the Anchor Grants

The Alliance for Youth Organising provides Anchor Grants to UK organisations that empower young people to organise and create social change. The grants aim to:

• Increase access to youth organising across communities

• Strengthen the youth organising sector

• Shift power and resources to young people

• Support learning and strategic insights for the Alliance’s future strategy

• Recognise funding challenges and promote sustainable, flexible support

Selected organisations receive £40,000 per year for two years, plus an additional £5,000 for learning and strategic contribution, resulting in a total of £85,000 over two years.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible organisations must:

• Be UK-based and have experience in supporting youth organising

• Provide training, coaching, or capacity building for youth organising groups

• Run organising or political education programmes, or leadership development for young organisers

• Offer resources, guidance, platforms, or specialist support that strengthen youth organising capacity

• Facilitate networks or coalitions connecting youth organising groups

• Provide legal, communications, or other specialist support for young organisers

• Offer fiscal sponsorship, incubation, or infrastructure support

Purpose and Impact

The grants are designed to:

• Support organisations in increasing their impact through sustained, flexible funding

• Enable organisations to focus on core youth organising work

• Provide strategic insight and learning to inform the Alliance’s planning

• Recognise and address challenges in securing long-term funding

Types of Support Covered

Organisations can provide youth organising support through:

1. Place-based initiatives addressing local issues

2. National or regional leadership training programmes

3. Mentoring and coaching networks for young organisers

4. Incubating new youth organising initiatives

5. Fiscal hosting or infrastructure support

How Selection Works

• The Alliance will select 7–10 organisations for funding

• Assessment is conducted by independent experts experienced in youth organising

• Selection criteria include:

  • Organisational track record and capacity to expand impact

  • Diversity and potential reach of funded communities

  • Geographic spread across the UK

  • Youth demographics and issues being organised around

  • Organisational size and access to other funding

Special Encouragement

The Alliance particularly encourages applications from organisations that:

• Are youth-led

• Support youth organising in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, rural areas, or small towns in England

• Empower marginalised or minoritised communities

• Strengthen international solidarity or learning beyond the UK

• Engage young people new to organising

How to Apply

1. Prepare a clear description of your organisation’s track record in youth organising

2. Detail your planned activities, target demographics, and expected outcomes

3. Include information on your organisational capacity and governance

4. Explain how the grant will increase your impact and sustainability

5. Submit your application via the Alliance’s official application process before the stated deadline

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting applications without demonstrating previous youth organising experience

• Failing to clearly articulate how the grant will increase impact

• Not providing details on diversity, reach, or inclusion

• Ignoring strategic contributions to the Alliance’s learning and planning

• Overlooking geographic or community representation in your proposal

FAQ

1. What is the total value of the Anchor Grant? £85,000 over two years (£40,000 per year plus £5,000 for learning).
2. Who can apply? UK-based organisations supporting youth organising with proven experience and capacity.
3. How many organisations will be funded? Between 7 and 10 organisations.
4. Can youth-led organisations apply? Yes, youth-led organisations are strongly encouraged to apply.
5. What types of activities are eligible? Training, coaching, leadership development, networking, mentorship, fiscal hosting, and infrastructure support.
6. Is geographic location considered? Yes, the Alliance encourages applications from all UK regions, including rural and small-town areas.
7. Are marginalised communities prioritised? Yes, organisations supporting marginalised or minoritised young people are strongly encouraged.

Conclusion

The Anchor Grant programme provides UK-based organisations with sustainable funding to expand youth organising, empower young people, and strengthen community impact. By supporting leadership, training, and network development, the Alliance for Youth Organising helps build a stronger, more inclusive, and empowered youth sector across the UK.

For more information, visit Alliance for Youth Organising.