Welcome to #YouthVoice News and Opportunities – a regular roundup from the world of youthvoice, participation and influence
This week: Blagrave Trust and YouthBank Funding Opportunities for Youthled Leading | Lords report on media literacy | plus our usual features #Votesat16watch and Youth Opportunities | YouthVoice News is produced by Young Voices Heard CIC as a non-profit venture, and edited by a volunteer.
YOUTHVOICE HEARD – NEWS
Funding & Support OPPORTUNITIES for Youth-led projects and groups.. you are the Leader (25 and under/England)
“The two opportunities featured below are for young leaders only. You must be between the ages of 18-25 (Blagrave/Eng) or 16-25 (YouthBank/Eng) to apply, and your initiative must actually be youth-led. What is Youth-led? In 2020, the young founders of a Covid initiative ‘Project Hope’ challenged organisations that were supporting youth-led social action projects “Don’t call it Youthled when it’s not” because many were org/adult, initiated or designed. However, some are aspiring changemakers on issues they have chosen and need to support to turn their ideas into action. This reminds of my time at the Prince’s Trust which offered mentoring and small grant programmes for young people coming to us with their ideas and proposals, and since then at BYC and YVH, where Ive see small ‘start-up’ ideas turn into successful campaigns and projects, and some cases established charities or social enterprises – founded and developed as self-led initiatives. The Blagrave Trust and YouthBank are two funders who targeting support and micro-finance to make this happen. So if you are a young leader/changemaker (or you know one), maybe working on your own, or part of a group founded by your peers that meets and makes its own decisions – these opps are for you. You may have enlisted support from older people, mentors, workers, as your advisors, or even host orgs who give you space and support to take forward YOUR agenda, then read on about these two amazing support and finance programmes for genuine youth-led projects by individuals or groups. They both make it clear what their ‘youth-led’ criteria is. (I particularly like Blagrave’s guidance on who this fund is NOT for, and Youth Bank use the term ‘self-led’ Read on and good luck!” [James C/Ed YVH]
⚡Challenge & Change: Funding for Youthled change – Blagrave Trust [YVH recommended] £10,000 each for 38 changemakers.
Applications are officially OPEN… but wait – what is Challenge and Change tho? Young people are already organising, resisting, repairing and building — but too often, they’re underfunded. Challenge and Change is here to back you. £10,000 grants | 12 months | 38 changemakers | | Click this link for full details and how to apply: https://lnkd.in/eSDWKYm6 ➡️ Follow Challenge and Change on IG to not miss out on a thing: https://lnkd.in/es9fk2Jn Apply by Sunday 14th Sept Challenge and Change is for you if:
• You’re 18–25 years old and living in England
• You’re using your lived experience to lead change
• You’re an individual, or part of a collective or movement
• You’re already involved in social justice work but lack resources
• You’re ready to create the change you want to see and want to create positive lasting impact
⚡YouthBank International: Posts | LinkedIn – funding for youthled groups England. Aged 16-25 – part of a Self Led group? Support package and £3000 for your local YouthBank.
We are calling all youth-led groups from England 🏴 Win our YouthBank GO! Package training and up to 3,000£ grants for your YouthBank fund! Apply by 26th September
✅ You run a real fund that invests in young people’s ideas
✅ You lead with purpose, not just participate
✅ You build in-demand leadership skills
✅ You create a visible impact in your community & beyond
✅ You leave a legacy of youth-powered change
⚡The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee has published its report on media literacy
According to Ofcom, media literacy is: “the ability to use, understand and create media and communications across multiple formats and services”. Read the Report highlights here. Summary recommendations below. The Committee heard #youthvoice evidence from the Youth Select Committee on Violence and Social Media as well as from ShoutOutUk which promotes media literacy in schools and is the secretariat of the APPG on Media Literacy. The Committee also conducted a survey which noted that 1 in 3 young people believed everything on social media was true.. One in three eight to 17 year-olds think all or most information on social media is true. [Something relevant for Votesat16 17 education – though Im encouraged 2 in 3 are already skeptical – its a bit more worrying that 1 in 4 adults find it difficult to distinguish between true and false information – yet they are voters too! JC/Ed]
Recommendations
1) Embed media literacy across the national curriculum and update teacher training programmes to build teachers’ confidence in delivering media literacy education.
2) Demand more from platforms. Tech companies should have a responsibility to fund long-term media literacy programmes.
3) Prioritise media literacy across the Government. Initiatives to date have been scattered across departments and lacking a strategic vision.
Matteo Bergamini (#youthvoice champion and founder and CEO of ShoutoutUK) who gave oral evidence on the need for media literacy for young people, said “The time for a fragmented approach is over. We must work together to embed a robust, holistic media literacy education in schools, and wider society, and provide the necessary training to empower educators.The future of our democracy and the safety of our communities depend on a media-literate public. Let’s work together to make this a reality. Connect with us to learn how you can support this vital mission.”
⚡Your Police – Youth Advisory Group -Mission Statement
Your Police’s Digital Youth Engagement is a programme is a national youth engagment programme keeping young people safe, by YourPoliceUK . Using the latest youth-informed digital tech to empower young people to connect with policing on issues ranging from crime prevention to being a victim. Their Youth Advisory Group (YAG) helps to ensure that “everything we do reflects the needs of young people”. Beyond helping to shape the Digital Youth Engagement programme, YAG provides valuable insights and fresh perspectives to policing and our partners in academia, the third sector and other key stakeholders – ensuring youth voices are heard and, ultimately acted upon. This is their new Mission Statement, drawn up and agreed by the group themselves.
Want to collaborate? If you’re interested in partnering with YAG or leveraging youth insight for meaningful impact, let’s connect! And if you work with young people who’d love to be part of this mission, they can sign up by direct messaging @yourpolice.uk on Instagram. https://lnkd.in/eYYhbTuF
Comment – having worked with Police Forces across England and Wales on youthvoice and participation, via the Volunteer Police Cadets programme for several years since 2017, I was delighted but not surprised to come across this little known but innovative initiative which is informed and influenced by young people, resulting in one of the best examples of digital youth engagement I have come across. Their systems are amazing and could/should be deployed across other sectors interested in connected youthvoice to policy making. Check it out and contact them! James/Ed]
⚡ Votesat16 Watch – Could 16 and 17-year-olds really decide the next election? The Big Issue
⚡ Youth Work and Political Education – Policy Briefing research paper – Carole Pugh (Jul 25)
“My research shows that to effectively support the enfranchisement of 16-year-olds, voting rights must be accompanied by political education. The research demonstrates that that young people gain essential political knowledge and citizenship experiences through informal settings, and identifies practical policy recommendations that can ensure an integrated policy response that enables the democratic potential of youth work to be recognised and realised.” Policy Briefing-Youth work and political education FINAL.pdf
⚡Votes at 16 Roadmap to Votesat16: Democratic Life / Politics Project launch “Road-map to Votes at 16”
The new report: A Roadmap to Votes at 16, cross-sector vision for delivering Votes at 16 effectively across the UK, was launched in the House of Commons on 16th July. Its backed by over 40 organisations across the UK, including Young Voices Heard and its key recommendations include the:
Read more for recommendations and Ministers quotes
- Establishing a minimum entitlement to democratic education from primary through to post-16 settings.
- Supporting educators and youth practitioners with specialist training, resources and guidance.
- Modernising the curriculum to prepare young people to vote for the first time.
- Expanding opportunities for young people to engage directly with politicians and influence policy.
- Launching national youth-led communications campaigns to build a new culture of participation among first-time voters.”
- The Roadmap to Votes at 16 was funded by The UK Democracy Fund and coordinated by The Politics Project through the Democracy Classroom Network.
⚡YouthVoice Newsletters
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES – Editors pick…Youth Opportunities 3rd August edition | LinkedIn “for young people, curated by young people”. Below is just a selection of opportunities that relate to #youthvoice Advisory Board roles – but check out the full issue for lots more – and subscribe! and Find even more opportunities on the Youth Opportunities website → youthopportunities.co.uk
Who Cares? Scotland invites Care Experienced people aged 16+ to join the Empowered Voices Programme, offering training in campaigning, public speaking, and activism over three weekends (Sept 6-8, Nov 22-24, 2024, and Feb 7-9, 2025) in Edinburgh and Stirling. Travel, accommodation, and meals are covered. Participants gain skills, confidence, and opportunities to influence change. To apply, be a Care Experienced member (or join), reliable, and committed. Apply asap.
Advisory Boards -YVH picks..
⚡The Mix is seeking seven young people (under 25) to join its Youth Advisory Board, representing youth voices in mental health charity decisions. Members work with senior leaders to shape strategy, attend virtual meetings, and advocate for young people’s needs. No experience needed; training and mentoring provided. This voluntary, two-year role helps build leadership skills and offers networking opportunities. Apply by 25th August.
⚡Want to help shape policies that impact young people across London? The Mayor’s Children and Young Londoners team is looking for passionate Londoners aged 16–25 from diverse backgrounds to join the London Peer Youth Board (LPYB). Members will share their ideas directly with leaders in government, healthcare, business, transport, and more. To join, you must be committed to attending monthly meetings for at least 12 months. If you’re ready to make a difference in your community, email YouthEngagement@london.gov.uk by 10 August.
⚡Scotland, young women aged 16-30 Young Women Demand is a two-year initiative (2025–2027), funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Foundation, focused on political literacy, leadership, and democratic engagement among young women and non-binary people in Scotland. The project is recruiting 12 volunteers (aged 16–30) to join a new steering group. Members will help co-design an awareness campaign ahead of the 2026 election, engage with stakeholders, and create opportunities for youth political engagement. The role includes online and in-person meetings, starting with an introductory session on 28 August 2025. Applications close at 11:59pm onThursday 7 August.
⚡Join the Electoral Commission’s Youth Voice Network for Scotland and help shape the future of democracy. If you’re aged 12 to 18, live in Scotland and are keen to find out more then download our information sheet. You’ll meet (online and in-person) around four times a year to share views, create resources, and contribute to national campaigns on voting. Recruitment is open from June to September 2025. Learn more and apply here. by end of Sept 25
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Trustee positions
Interested in becoming a trustee? Only 3% of trustees are under the age of 30. Find under-30 friendly trustee boards through Young Trustees Movement
RESOURCES
Top Pick – Tips⚡ Twelve Myths About Participation. Laura Lundy has recently posted this handy 12 point deck resource on common misconceptions around youthvoice and participation.
Top Pick – Paid ⚡VoiceBox | By young people, for young people “The international content platform by young people for young people. Create content on the topics you care about and get paid!” VoiceBox is an international youth-led content platform and social enterprise, whose mission is to amplify the voices of young people around the world. We feature a wide variety of topics and formats of content from people aged 13-25. Become a paid content creator
For other YVH recommended resources go to the http://www.YoungVoiceHeard.org.uk main website / RESOURCES, or browse back issues of #YouthVoiceNews