Category: Grant
Country: United Kingdom
Program: Lead the Change Grant 2026
Funding: £123,353 per organisation
Duration: 3 years
Organization: BBC Children in Need with partner foundations
Deadline: Varies by community foundation
Location: Selected UK areas
The Lead the Change Grant 2026 is designed for organisations that work with young people in the United Kingdom. It supports projects that help young people lead change, strengthen local relationships, and create safer communities.
BBC Children in Need launched the programme together 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.
What the Programme Aims to Do
Lead the Change responds to concerns that many young people feel unheard, disconnected, and left out of decision-making. Moreover, the source says social pressure, misinformation, racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and financial hardship have increased isolation for many communities.
This initiative helps funded organisations support young people to build stronger community ties, feel safer, develop leadership skills, and create positive change through youth-led action.
Funding and Activities Covered
Successful organisations receive £123,353 each, and the funding lasts for 3 years. As a result, organisations can focus on long-term youth-focused work.
✓ Youth clubs
✓ Sports programmes
✓ Creative hubs
✓ Cultural spaces
✓ Community connection activities
✓ Youth-led campaigns
✓ Co-designed community projects
✓ Leadership development programmes
✓ Intercultural initiatives
✓ Skills development
✓ Mentoring
✓ Employability training
✓ Apprenticeship connections
✓ Tackling misinformation
✓ Challenging harmful narratives
✓ Storytelling projects
✓ Youth-created media content
Eligibility Requirements
The grant is open to not-for-profit organisations operating in eligible UK areas. In addition, applicants must meet these criteria:
• Annual turnover under £2 million
• At least three unrelated trustees
• Work with children and young people aged 18 and under
• Strong community trust
• Strong safeguarding systems
• Trauma-informed approach
• Youth voice built into planning and delivery
• Capacity to deliver long-term impact
The programme particularly welcomes organisations led by people most impacted by xenophobia, racism, and Islamophobia.
What Cannot Be Funded
The grant does not fund:
• Individuals
• Profit-making organisations
• Local authorities, schools, NHS bodies, prisons
• Housing associations
• Political or religious campaigning
• Medical treatment or research
• Holidays or overseas trips
• Debt repayment
• Retrospective costs
• Large capital projects
• Already funded activities
How the Application Works
The application process starts with an Expression of Interest. Applications opened on 1 April 2026, and applicants must apply through their relevant community foundation. However, deadlines depend on location, so each applicant should check with the local foundation.
Shortlisted organisations will be contacted by 30 April 2026. Then, successful EOI applicants will receive invitations in May 2026 and will have at least four weeks to complete the full application. Final funding decisions are expected in mid to late August 2026.
Eligible UK Areas
The programme covers selected locations across the UK, including Belfast, Birmingham, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Bristol, Darlington, Hartlepool, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Rotherham, Sheffield, Southampton, Southport, Sunderland, Tamworth, Weymouth, and Aldershot.
Deadline
• Expression of Interest deadlines vary by community foundation
• Shortlisted organisations are notified by 30 April 2026
• Full applications open in May 2026
