Evaluation and Learning from the Inspiring Futures Programme
The Inspiring Futures Programme
BBC Children in Need and Youth Futures Foundation partnered to deliver Inspiring Futures. This is a £7 million Covid-19 response programme to fund positive activities which support children and young people to achieve their potential on their journey towards employment. We made 107 grants across the UK at the end of 2020. The programme came to an end in early 2023. The programme worked with children and young people aged 10-24 in England (YFF only funds in England) and 10-18 in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The COVID-19 pandemic heightened existing challenges for children and young people looking to access further education, training, and work. Lockdowns, prolonged social distancing and school closures had a particularly harmful effect on those who were already struggling to gain employment. There were fewer opportunities to learn the skills and gain experiences that would help them gain employment when they are older.
We are proud to have partnered with Youth Futures Foundation for this programme. We aligned our work to improve the employment prospects of children and young people who face discrimination or barriers. We aimed to transform young lives by unlocking their potential and addressing the root causes of youth unemployment.
Our Evaluation and Learning
We learn from the projects we fund across all our programmes. For Inspiring Futures, BBC Children in Need and Youth Futures Foundation have produced reports to share this learning. This is specific to children and young people on their journey to employment, including personal development and employability outcomes.
Our partners, Youth Futures Foundation , commissioned Cordis Bright to evaluate the Inspiring Futures Programme in England. Please note that funding for 19 to 24 year olds is being provided by Youth Futures Foundation, which only operates in England. The final report will be published in summer 2023.
BBC Children in Need also wanted to understand the effect of this programme on children and young people (aged 0-18) in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Insights from Northern Ireland
