Deadline: 29-Apr-2026
The Lead the Change programme is a three-year UK funding initiative supporting youth-led community projects in Aldershot, Portsmouth, and Southampton. It provides £123,353 to a single organisation to empower young people as leaders, improve digital literacy, and strengthen community connection and inclusion. Eligible applicants must be registered not-for-profit organisations working directly with children and young people under 18.
Overview
The Lead the Change programme is a targeted youth empowerment initiative designed to strengthen community relationships and inclusion through youth-led action.
It supports organisations that enable young people to:
- Lead community projects
- Build social connections
- Improve digital and critical thinking skills
- Strengthen local safety and inclusion
The programme runs over three years and focuses on long-term community transformation.
Core Objectives of the Programme
The programme is built around youth leadership and community strengthening.
Key Objectives
- Strengthen community connection and social cohesion
- Empower young people as leaders and changemakers
- Improve digital literacy and resilience against harmful narratives
- Expand leadership and skills development opportunities
- Build a national model for youth-led community change
Geographic Focus
The programme is place-based and currently supports selected UK communities.
Eligible Areas
- Aldershot
- Portsmouth
- Southampton
Applicants must be actively working in one or more of these locations.
Target Group
The programme focuses on young people and youth development.
Beneficiaries
- Children and young people aged 18 and under
- Youth from local communities experiencing social or economic pressure
- Young people at risk of isolation or disengagement
The programme prioritizes youth voice, participation, and leadership in all activities.
Funding Details
Grant Amount
- £123,353 per organisation
Funding Structure
- Only one organisation will be funded in this round
- Funding is designed for a large-scale, multi-year intervention
Duration
- Three-year programme period
Eligible Applicants
Who Can Apply
- Registered not-for-profit organisations
- Organisations working directly with children and young people
Organisational Requirements
Applicants must:
- Operate in Aldershot, Portsmouth, or Southampton
- Work directly with under-18s
- Have strong community trust and local presence
- Demonstrate safeguarding and trauma-informed practice
Governance Requirements
- Minimum of three unrelated trustees or governing members
- Strong governance and accountability structures
Financial Eligibility
- Annual turnover must not exceed £2 million
- Exception: domestic abuse refuges and hospices may be exempt
Programme Priorities and Themes
The programme supports youth-led initiatives across several thematic areas.
1. Youth Leadership Development
- Building leadership capacity in young people
- Supporting youth-led decision-making
- Encouraging civic participation
2. Community Connection and Safety
- Strengthening relationships across communities
- Creating safe spaces for young people
- Reducing isolation and fragmentation
3. Digital Literacy and Narrative Awareness
- Improving digital skills
- Teaching critical thinking about online content
- Challenging harmful narratives and misinformation
4. Skills and Opportunity Building
- Supporting employability pathways
- Developing life and leadership skills
- Expanding access to opportunity
5. Youth-Led Storytelling and Voice
- Encouraging storytelling initiatives
- Amplifying youth perspectives
- Embedding youth voice in community change
How the Programme Works
Step 1: Community Engagement Design
Organisations must:
- Identify local youth needs
- Build youth participation frameworks
- Establish safe spaces for engagement
Step 2: Youth-Led Project Development
Projects should:
- Be designed with young people
- Reflect lived experiences
- Prioritize inclusion and accessibility
Step 3: Implementation Planning
Include:
- Leadership training activities
- Community engagement strategies
- Digital literacy and skills development
- Safeguarding systems
Step 4: Delivery Phase
- Young people lead or co-lead initiatives
- Organisations provide guidance and support
- Community collaboration is encouraged
Step 5: Monitoring and Evaluation
- Track youth participation and leadership outcomes
- Measure community connection improvements
- Assess skill development and engagement impact
Organisational Requirements
To be eligible, organisations must demonstrate:
- Strong safeguarding policies
- Trauma-informed practice
- Trusted presence in the local community
- Youth-centred delivery approach
- Capacity to manage multi-year funding
Selection Criteria (Implied)
Applications are likely assessed on:
- Strength of youth-led design
- Community impact potential
- Organisational capacity and governance
- Safeguarding quality
- Inclusion and accessibility approach
- Alignment with programme themes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not placing young people at the centre of project design
- Weak safeguarding or governance structures
- Applying outside eligible geographic areas
- Lack of genuine youth leadership involvement
- Overly adult-led or top-down project design
- Insufficient focus on inclusion and community cohesion
Why This Programme Matters
The Lead the Change programme is important because it:
- Empowers young people as community leaders
- Strengthens social cohesion in urban UK areas
- Improves resilience against harmful online narratives
- Expands opportunities for youth development
- Builds safer and more connected communities
- Promotes long-term youth engagement in civic life
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Lead the Change programme?
It is a three-year funding initiative supporting youth-led community projects in selected UK locations.
2. Who can apply for funding?
Registered not-for-profit organisations working with children and young people under 18 in Aldershot, Portsmouth, or Southampton.
3. How much funding is available?
One organisation will receive £123,353 for a three-year programme.
4. What is the main focus of the programme?
Youth leadership, community connection, digital literacy, and inclusion.
5. Who benefits from the programme?
Children and young people aged 18 and under in the targeted communities.
6. What are the key eligibility requirements?
Organisations must have strong safeguarding, at least three trustees, and an annual turnover under £2 million (with some exceptions).
7. Is youth participation required?
Yes, young people must be central to project design and delivery.
Conclusion
The Lead the Change programme is a high-impact, place-based initiative designed to empower young people as leaders of community transformation. By investing in youth-led projects across Aldershot, Portsmouth, and Southampton, it strengthens inclusion, builds digital and leadership skills, and fosters safer, more connected communities over a sustained three-year period.
For more information, visit HIWCF.