National Lottery distributors have come together to launch a new funding programme designed to create opportunities for young people to shine. 

The Year of Young People National Lottery Fund

The Year of Young People National Lottery Fund will award grants for heritage, sports and community projects, supporting young people aged 8 – 26 years old to improve their wellbeing and inspiring them to lead active lives.

It is a joint initiative between Big Lottery Fund, sportscotland, HLF and Spirit of 2012 - a UK Trust endowed with Big Lottery Funds.

Sam Anderson, HLF Scotland Committee Member and spokesperson for the new fund, explains: “We’re looking for projects which have young people at the core. It’s their chance to tell us what they want to do: whether it’s volunteering at a sports club; helping older people in their community; or developing skills to increase their confidence, then develop and deliver it.

“Our young people are fantastic. This is an opportunity for them to spread their wings and for us to celebrate the results.”

[quote=Sam Anderson, HLF Scotland Committee Member]“We’re looking for projects which have young people at the core. It’s their chance to tell us what they want to do."[/quote]

Opportunities for Scotland's young people

Already, exciting projects for young people are happening in Scotland.  

Thanks to HLF support, youth projects are using detective skills to discover Scotland’s wartime heroines and see how the war affected women. Led by YouthLink Scotland, Youngwummin will uncover local heroines and celebrate their legacy.

Young people will have a stronger voice in their communities' development. Greenspace Scotland and Youth Scotland will give Young Placechangers the skills to improve their neighbourhood's environment and vibrancy.

Welcoming this National Lottery funding, Deputy First Minister John Swinney added: “As Scotland celebrates the Year of Young People, this new fund is an opportunity for young people to harness their incredible skills and talents, while gaining control to develop projects which matter most to them.

"I look forward to hearing young people’s ideas and seeing the difference this fund will make to young people living in communities across Scotland.”

Applying for funding

Grants from the Year of Young People National Lottery Fund range from £3,000 - £10,000. The application submission deadlines are 30 April and 18 June 2018. If you would like advice on your idea, please contact us by email or phone: 0131 225 9450.

If you are considering a larger heritage project involving young people, then take a look at HLF’s Young Roots programme, awarding grants from £10,000 - £50,000.