Lead the Change Programme for Youth-Led Community Development (UK)

The Lead the Change initiative is a three-year programme designed to empower young people in Leeds to strengthen community relationships, foster understanding, and build belonging. The programme equips youth as leaders, storytellers, and changemakers, providing opportunities to develop skills, challenge harmful narratives, and drive positive change locally.

About Lead the Change

Lead the Change focuses on enhancing community connection and safety while promoting youth leadership and engagement. Delivered in Leeds by Leeds Community Foundation, the initiative is part of a collaboration with BBC Children in Need and partner foundations, addressing challenges such as youth disconnection, limited engagement with decision-makers, and exposure to harmful online content.

Key objectives include:

• Strengthening community connection and safety.
• Empowering youth as leaders, storytellers, and changemakers.
• Supporting digital literacy and the ability to challenge harmful narratives.
• Expanding opportunities through skills, mentoring, and leadership pathways.
• Building a national movement for youth-led connection and change.

Funding Details

• Grant value: £123,353 over three years.
• Purpose: Support youth-led initiatives, community engagement, and skills development.
• Activities funded: Safe spaces (youth clubs, cultural hubs), co-designed community projects, intercultural initiatives, mentoring, training, apprenticeships, and digital literacy programmes.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be registered not-for-profit organisations in Leeds that:

1. Have an annual turnover between £65,000 and £2 million.
2. Possess a governing body with at least three members.
3. Demonstrate a strong track record working with children and young people aged 18 and under.
4. Are deeply rooted in their communities with robust safeguarding and trauma-informed practices.
5. Actively involve young people in programme design and delivery.

How the Programme Works

1. Organisations submit applications demonstrating youth engagement and impact potential.
2. Selected organisations receive funding to implement youth-led initiatives.
3. Activities focus on safe spaces, skills development, community action, intercultural projects, digital literacy, and narrative change.
4. The programme provides support for mentoring, training, and access to apprenticeships.
5. Youth participants take an active role in shaping local priorities and driving community change.

Why It Matters

Lead the Change addresses the challenges of youth disconnection, misinformation, and limited engagement. By investing in young people as leaders, it:

• Builds skills, confidence, and leadership.
• Strengthens community ties and inclusivity.
• Promotes resilience, critical thinking, and positive digital engagement.
• Encourages youth to take active roles in decision-making and community development.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting applications from organisations outside Leeds.
• Failing to demonstrate active youth involvement.
• Not meeting turnover or governance requirements.
• Neglecting safeguarding or trauma-informed practices.
• Providing unclear plans for community impact or youth engagement.

FAQ

1. Who can apply for Lead the Change funding?
Registered not-for-profit organisations in Leeds meeting eligibility criteria.

2. What age group does the programme focus on?
Children and young people aged 18 and under.

3. How much funding is available?
£123,353 over three years for one selected organisation.

4. What types of activities are supported?
Youth clubs, cultural hubs, co-designed community projects, mentoring, training, apprenticeships, and digital literacy programmes.

5. Are youth participants involved in programme design?
Yes, young people must actively participate in planning and delivering initiatives.

6. Can organisations outside Leeds apply?
No, only organisations based in Leeds are eligible.

7. What is the main aim of Lead the Change?
To empower young people to become leaders and changemakers, strengthen community connections, and build a sense of belonging.

Conclusion

Lead the Change empowers young people in Leeds to lead initiatives that strengthen communities, develop skills, and foster inclusion. By funding youth-led projects and supporting digital literacy, mentoring, and safe spaces, the programme enables young people to actively shape their communities while building confidence, resilience, and leadership for long-term positive impact.