Aims/priorities: The Youth Matters Fund (YMF) provides up to £416.8 million of grant funding to deliver significant long-term change in youth services provision across the parts of England with the greatest need.
The fund aims to achieve three core outcomes in around 60 eligible places:
- Rapid improvements in the level and quality of youth services provision, informed by a step change in engagement with young people.
- Long-term enhancements to the sustainability of youth sector activities and facilities.
- The development of meaningful local partnerships that underpin sustainable sector growth.
The funding is for charitable or philanthropic organisations with proven experience in large-scale grant delivery, capital investment, and the youth sector to invest the grant in facilities, equipment, and services to drive sustainable, long-term improvements in youth provision across underserved areas in England.
The support is for young people and youth organisations within underserved areas in England who are delivering for all young people aged 10 to 21, and up to the age of 25 for young people with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND), but will be targeted at breaking down barriers to access for disadvantaged and/or vulnerable young people. These include (but are not limited to) ethnic minorities, young people with SEND, young people from low socio-economic backgrounds and those living in poverty, care experienced young people and care leavers, young carers.
Who can apply? Applications accepted from a charitable, benevolent, or philanthropic organisation with the capacity, capability, and experience to manage a grant programme of this scale and complexity.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate:
- Expertise in grant management and the youth sector landscape
- Robust safeguarding policies and financial management systems
- A strong commitment to meaningful youth engagement in project design and decision-making.
Applications from organisations with the following will be 'favoured':
- Sector knowledge and capability
- Delivery experience
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Technical ability.
Grant amount: The maximum, total budget available for the fund is £416.8 million:
- £335.6 million in capital funding
- £54.9 million in revenue funding
- £26.3 million associated with delivery and administration of the Fund up to financial year 2030/31.
Application process: The guidance notes are available on the GOV.UK website.
Registration is to be done via the Government's Find a Grant platform.
Contact the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for further information.
Deadline: Friday, 21 August 2026 (23:59)
Contact information: Email: ymf@dcms.gov.uk
Website: Youth Matters Fund: delivery partner competition - GOV.UK