Projects and programmes

Key projects and programmes

Peer Action Collective

Peer Action Collective programme tackles the root causes of youth violence in communities across the UK.

Community Research Networks

This programme is a two-phase funding opportunity, putting community networks at the heart of research.

£10m project will build stronger UK communities

New £10m C4 Centre, led by Sheffield Hallam University, will strengthen community leadership and build connections.

The Young Foundation presents: Pass the Mic

For too long, young people haven’t had a say in their place, planet, or future prospect. Our social media campaign #PassTheMic amplifies the voices of the future.

Current projects

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Tackling physical inactivity across the capital

Groundbreaking partnership with London Sport to tackle inequalities in physical inactivity across the capital.

11/13

Youth forum to influence ‘lasting solutions to a complex environmental challenge’

Opportunity puts 16- to 25-year-olds at the heart of a vital debate around nuclear waste, enabling community and youth involvement in shaping solutions that will have a multiple-generation impact

12/13

Helping nature thrive and survive in Derbyshire

New collaborative project invites residents to help shape a Local Nature Recovery Strategy to protect wildlife

13/13

Leading Luton

Our action learning programme will recruit its second cohort in September 2025, helping to reimagine and redefine community leadership for social justice in Luton. 

1/13

National Civic Impact Accelerator

A collaborative and ambitious initiative to build intelligence and support universities to deliver meaningful, measurable civic strategies and activities.

2/13

Community Knowledge Fund

The Community Knowledge Fund supports communities to play a stronger role in research and innovation.

3/13

Delivering the ‘S’ of ESG

Supporting businesses to explore and apply our Four-Scope Social Framework, identifying multiple starting points to drive genuinely impactful and long-term impact.

4/13

Campaign for community power

Supporting better-connected, stronger communities, The Young Foundation is proud to be part of We’re Right Here, the campaign for community power.

5/13

Heritage organisations drive ‘meaningful and sustainable’ change

As our Heritage Innovation Fund partnership moves into its third phase, organisations across the UK continue to innovate creative new ways of working. 

6/13

Community collaboration in Hounslow

THIS OPPORTUNITY HAS NOW CLOSED Work with local residents and Hounslow Council to make the area greener and improve quality of life, both now and for the future.

7/13

Joining up for a sustainable future

Partner organisations host launch of new research centre for Joined Up Sustainability Transformations in the North of England

8/13

Citizen Science

This three-year, collaborative project seeks to share best practice and explore what works in ‘citizen science’ research around the UK, supporting five UKRI-funded projects.

9/13

Spark Awards to ignite youth innovation

Accelerating our work to amplify youth voice and action, we’re collaborating with Big Change to deliver the Spark Awards, supporting 18 to 25-year-olds to reimagine the future and create deep-rooted lasting change.

10/13

Tackling physical inactivity across the capital

Groundbreaking partnership with London Sport to tackle inequalities in physical inactivity across the capital.

11/13

Youth forum to influence ‘lasting solutions to a complex environmental challenge’

Opportunity puts 16- to 25-year-olds at the heart of a vital debate around nuclear waste, enabling community and youth involvement in shaping solutions that will have a multiple-generation impact

12/13

Helping nature thrive and survive in Derbyshire

New collaborative project invites residents to help shape a Local Nature Recovery Strategy to protect wildlife

13/13

Leading Luton

Our action learning programme will recruit its second cohort in September 2025, helping to reimagine and redefine community leadership for social justice in Luton. 

1/13

National Civic Impact Accelerator

A collaborative and ambitious initiative to build intelligence and support universities to deliver meaningful, measurable civic strategies and activities.

2/13

Community Knowledge Fund

The Community Knowledge Fund supports communities to play a stronger role in research and innovation.

3/13

Delivering the ‘S’ of ESG

Supporting businesses to explore and apply our Four-Scope Social Framework, identifying multiple starting points to drive genuinely impactful and long-term impact.

4/13

Campaign for community power

Supporting better-connected, stronger communities, The Young Foundation is proud to be part of We’re Right Here, the campaign for community power.

5/13

Heritage organisations drive ‘meaningful and sustainable’ change

As our Heritage Innovation Fund partnership moves into its third phase, organisations across the UK continue to innovate creative new ways of working. 

6/13

Community collaboration in Hounslow

THIS OPPORTUNITY HAS NOW CLOSED Work with local residents and Hounslow Council to make the area greener and improve quality of life, both now and for the future.

7/13

Joining up for a sustainable future

Partner organisations host launch of new research centre for Joined Up Sustainability Transformations in the North of England

8/13

Citizen Science

This three-year, collaborative project seeks to share best practice and explore what works in ‘citizen science’ research around the UK, supporting five UKRI-funded projects.

9/13

Spark Awards to ignite youth innovation

Accelerating our work to amplify youth voice and action, we’re collaborating with Big Change to deliver the Spark Awards, supporting 18 to 25-year-olds to reimagine the future and create deep-rooted lasting change.

10/13

Tackling physical inactivity across the capital

Groundbreaking partnership with London Sport to tackle inequalities in physical inactivity across the capital.

11/13

Youth forum to influence ‘lasting solutions to a complex environmental challenge’

Opportunity puts 16- to 25-year-olds at the heart of a vital debate around nuclear waste, enabling community and youth involvement in shaping solutions that will have a multiple-generation impact

12/13

Helping nature thrive and survive in Derbyshire

New collaborative project invites residents to help shape a Local Nature Recovery Strategy to protect wildlife

13/13

Recent archive projects

Previous slideNext slide

The Community Tune-In

Songs tell stories, bring people together, create special memories and share culture and traditions. This project celebrates the UK’s diverse communities through music.  

5/7

Community collaboration in Hounslow

THIS OPPORTUNITY HAS NOW CLOSED Work with local residents and Hounslow Council to make the area greener and improve quality of life, both now and for the future.

6/7

The Civic Journey

This programme of research and social action was led by young people to support and inspire engagement in social action, community activism, and entrepreneurial spirit.

7/7

Forever Young

Celebrating our 70-year legacy, we continue to embrace the spirit of our founder, Michael Young, as we address challenges facing UK communities today, and tomorrow.

1/7

Climate Challenge Cup

The Climate Challenge Cup is a new international competition to celebrate transformative civic research partnerships in the UK and US between research bodies, civic organisations and local communities to combat climate change.

2/7

Kickstarting careers

Research and insights from our participation in the Kickstart scheme, working with 16- to 24-year-olds deemed at risk of unemployment.

3/7

The Young Academy

The Young Academy Investment Fund launched in 2014 as a pilot social impact fund

4/7

The Community Tune-In

Songs tell stories, bring people together, create special memories and share culture and traditions. This project celebrates the UK’s diverse communities through music.  

5/7

Community collaboration in Hounslow

THIS OPPORTUNITY HAS NOW CLOSED Work with local residents and Hounslow Council to make the area greener and improve quality of life, both now and for the future.

6/7

The Civic Journey

This programme of research and social action was led by young people to support and inspire engagement in social action, community activism, and entrepreneurial spirit.

7/7

Forever Young

Celebrating our 70-year legacy, we continue to embrace the spirit of our founder, Michael Young, as we address challenges facing UK communities today, and tomorrow.

1/7

Climate Challenge Cup

The Climate Challenge Cup is a new international competition to celebrate transformative civic research partnerships in the UK and US between research bodies, civic organisations and local communities to combat climate change.

2/7

Kickstarting careers

Research and insights from our participation in the Kickstart scheme, working with 16- to 24-year-olds deemed at risk of unemployment.

3/7

The Young Academy

The Young Academy Investment Fund launched in 2014 as a pilot social impact fund

4/7

The Community Tune-In

Songs tell stories, bring people together, create special memories and share culture and traditions. This project celebrates the UK’s diverse communities through music.  

5/7

Community collaboration in Hounslow

THIS OPPORTUNITY HAS NOW CLOSED Work with local residents and Hounslow Council to make the area greener and improve quality of life, both now and for the future.

6/7

The Civic Journey

This programme of research and social action was led by young people to support and inspire engagement in social action, community activism, and entrepreneurial spirit.

7/7