Introduction
Lead the Change is a new £3.4 million, three-year initiative to support young people to build stronger communities across the UK, funded by BBC Children in Need in partnership with Co-op Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Henry Smith Foundation, Joseph Levy Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Postcode Justice Trust, UK Community Foundations and The National Lottery Community Fund.
A growing body of research shows that many young people feel disconnected, less heard by decision-makers, and increasingly cautious about expressing themselves – especially online, where exposure to polarising or harmful content can be widespread. Combined with financial pressures facing families and communities, these factors can deepen isolation and weaken young people’s sense of belonging. Our commissioned research by More in Common with 13-18 year olds across the UK living in communities experiencing polarisation and division confirmed these insights.
Programme Aims
Lead the Change responds to these issues by investing directly in youth leadership, community connection and opportunity. The programme aims to:
Strengthen community connection and safety
Empower young people as leaders, storytellers and changemakers
Support young people to build digital literacy and challenge harmful narratives
Increase opportunity for young people through skills and leadership pathways
Build a national movement for youth‑led connection and change
Lead the Change FAQs
What inspired this collaborative programme?
What inspired this collaborative programme?
Following the riots in summer 2024 and the continued unrest across the UK, it became clear that action was needed to rebuild trust, connection, and a sense of belonging in communities affected by division. Evidence shows that young people are among the most impacted by social fragmentation and polarisation. As funding partners, we wanted to invest in young people and give them the tools to take up a leadership role in building stronger communities and their own futures. Drawing on commissioned research and facilitated conversations with young 13-18 year-olds across the UK, this new programme is rooted in young people’s lived experience and responds to their needs and wants.
How and where will the programme be delivered?
How and where will the programme be delivered?
Lead the Change will be delivered by 17 community foundations across the UK through a place-based model over two phases.
Phase one will award 20 large grants over three years to support targeted local work across 27 identified localities. These localities were directly affected by the summer 2024 riots and correspond to areas where young people are most affected by community division and where local organisations are best placed to deliver targeted support and impact.
During the first year, the participating community foundations will seek to raise additional investment to grow the overall fund to £5.5 million. This expansion will support phase two, which will provide further funding in the form of small grants to grassroots organisations for up to two years.
When does the programme open for applications?
When does the programme open for applications?
Phase one will open in April 2026. We encourage anyone interested in the fund to check the UK community foundations website for further updates.
What is the application process?
What is the application process?
The application process for phase one will consist of an expression of interest followed by a full application form, which will have to be submitted directly to the 17 participating community foundations covering the 27 identified localities.
Which organisations can apply for funding?
Which organisations can apply for funding?
Lead the Change is open to registered not‑for‑profit organisations across the UK that meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Deliver work in one of the 27 target localities affected by polarisation and division
- Have an annual turnover of no more than £2million, unless you are a domestic abuse refuge or hospice
- Work with children and young people aged 18 years and under
- Work in the heart of their communities and are trusted by young people
- Put the voices, experiences and skills of children and young people at the centre of everything they do, from design to delivery
- Can demonstrate strong safeguarding and trauma‑informed practice
- Are keen to keep learning about and developing their work with children and young people
- Have at least three unrelated board/governing body members
For more details and the full application guidance, please visit the UK community foundations website and find the community foundation that will cover your specific locality.
