The Alliance for Youth Organising, hosted by the Civic Power Fund, has launched two major funding opportunities designed to shift power and resources directly into the hands of young organisers across the UK. As an intergenerational network of organisers and campaigners, the Alliance is committed to supporting youth-led movements working toward social, economic, racial, disability, gender, and environmental justice.
Youth organising in the UK—especially by young people from marginalised communities—has long been underfunded and undervalued. These funding programmes aim to strengthen the structures, spaces, and support young organisers need to build collective power and drive long-term systemic change.
1. Anchor Fund
Grant Amount: Up to £85,000 over two years
(£40,000/year + £5,000 for collaborative learning and strategy contribution)
Key Dates
- Fund Opens: 1 December 2025
- Fund Closes: 26 January 2026 (23:59)
- Decisions Announced: April 2026
Purpose
The Anchor Fund supports UK-based organisations with a track record in youth organising, enabling them to expand, strengthen, and sustain their work. The aim is to increase access to youth organising and reinforce the overall field.
What the Fund Supports
Organisations that:
- Provide training, coaching, or capacity-building for youth organisers
- Deliver organising or political education programmes
- Strengthen youth organising networks or coalitions
- Offer legal, communications, or specialist support to youth organisers
- Incubate youth-led initiatives or provide fiscal hosting
Who Should Not Apply
Groups that:
- Do not work with young people or lack youth-led decision-making
- Offer only general leadership development without organising skills
- Provide mentoring or programmes without collective action
- Focus on advocacy or policy without grassroots organising
Selection Considerations
The Alliance will prioritise:
- Geographic diversity, including Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, rural areas, and “organising deserts”
- Support for marginalised and minoritised youth
- Youth-led organisations
- Groups engaging young people new to organising
- Diversity of organisational size, experience, and community reach
Additional Notes
The grant is unrestricted, but organisations must demonstrate how funding will strengthen youth organising. The additional £5,000 supports participation in collective learning and contributing strategic insight to the Alliance.
2. Explore Fund
Grant Amount: £15,000 each
(5 grants available)
Key Dates
- Fund Opens: 1 December 2025
- Fund Closes: 16 February 2026 (23:59)
- Decisions Announced: April 2026
Purpose
The Explore Fund supports groups and collaborations experimenting with new ideas, filling gaps in the youth organising field, and exploring key questions that can strengthen the wider movement.
What the Fund Supports
Groups that:
- Organise or support youth organising
- Want to test new models, partnerships, or approaches
- Embrace action learning, experimentation, and honest reflection
- Are committed to sharing knowledge with peers and the wider field
Not Suitable For
Groups that:
- Do not centralise youth leadership
- Lack experience in youth organising
- Cannot commit to transparency about success and failure
- Focus solely on advocacy without youth-led organising
Programme Features
- Action learning model
- Peer connection across five funded projects
- Creative outputs encouraged (video, audio, visual report, etc.)
- Online community convenings + funding for any in-person meetings
Support from the Alliance
The Alliance will:
- Provide network connections and visibility
- Facilitate cross-project learning
- Share project insights widely with the broader movement
Information Sessions
Two online sessions will be offered for interested applicants:
- 10 December 2025 – 12:00 PM
- 7 January 2026 – 12:00 PM
Links to sign up will be available on the funder’s website.
Conclusion
The Alliance for Youth Organising aims to build a powerful, intergenerational infrastructure for youth-led change across the UK. These funding opportunities reflect a long-term commitment to shifting power, redistributing resources, and strengthening youth organising at every level.
Organisations working closely with young organisers—or those wanting to explore new models of grassroots power-building—are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more information: Click Here
