Kensington and Chelsea Youth Participation

Applications for the Youth Social Action Grants have now closed. Youth Fund Assessors are working through applications, and those who have applied will be contacted in the coming weeks.

The Youth Council Social Action Fund helps groups of young people in Kensington and Chelsea by funding projects and initiatives to be delivered in your local youth club or organisation.

The fund is here to help support the self-development of young people in Kensington and Chelsea bringing young people together to help improve your lives and address the challenges that are important in your communities.

Groups of young people can apply for grants to fund activities, events, training courses, informational campaigns and more, supported by local youth or voluntary organisation that will help monitor and support your project.

If you’re a young person who attends a youth club or other youth-focused organisation in Kensington and Chelsea, this exciting new grant could support a new project or event to benefit you and your peers. 

To make sure the Youth Council Social Action Fund grants have the biggest possible impact, funding will be prioritised under the following themes: 

• Mental health and wellbeing 
• Education 
• Youth choice – projects to specifically support young people  

Successful applications will need to show how your project fulfils at least one of these themes. This could be funding a mental health professional to visit your youth club and deliver workshops to help you deal with the highs and lows of being a young person. Or, it could be funding workshops from a professional coder to provide educational sessions in the exciting and rewarding coding profession.

Who decides the recipients of Youth Council Social Action Fund grants? 

The fund is youth-led. Young people applying are asked to think of your project ideas, write your application, present your idea to the Youth Fund Assessors, and run your projects.

Youth Fund Assessors are a group of young people trained to assess grants and decide which groups will be awarded funds. They also carry out inspections and monitoring on projects once they start.

What kind of projects can a grant support?

As a young person, you know best what kind of activities, programmes or equipment is needed at your youth club or setting. Whether it’s a series of training sessions on a specific topic or skill; a new piece of equipment to enable educational or enriching activities; booking sport or activity sessions at a nearby pitch; as long as the project idea is supported by your youth club or organisation and meets eligibility criteria outlined in the application guidance, it’s up to you what you choose.

How do I apply for a Youth Council Social Action Fund grant?

First, you and your project group should think about what sort of project want to run. Then, once you’ve got an idea:

1. Talk it through with someone - Speak with family, friends, or an adult at your youth centre or voluntary organisation about your idea, so that you can come up with a clear and successful plan.
2. Read our application guidance - Make sure you know what the Youth Social Action Fund is all about and what you can and can’t apply for funding for, by reading the guidelines.
3. Decide who will be your group’s project lead – This should be the young person who will organise and direct the group as to what needs to be done and also be the main contact and liaison with the Youth Participation Team.
4. Do your research - Make sure that your proposal is as detailed and accurate as possible. For example, if you want to hire some space out in a local youth centre then make sure that you have spoken with them about availability and cost. Word counts are a guide only, please give us only the necessary detail.
5. Arrange a Funding Factory - The Youth Participation Team will visit your group to discuss and chat through your project idea and give their expert advice on how to write a successful bid.
6. Complete the application form – Ensure you complete all the sections with the necessary details.
7. Submit your form - Make sure you stick to the deadlines and hand in your group application form before the deadline.
8. Don’t delay - Funding will be distributed on a first come, first served basis and we may bring the closing date forward if the grant is all spent beforehand. 

Before you apply

You will need to download, save and complete the following forms before submitting your application:

Key dates

We are now welcoming applications to this fund. The final deadline for submissions is by 11.59pm on Monday 18 March 2024, or sooner if the grant funding has been spent. We will allocate this grant on a first come, first served basis so you’re strongly advised to get your application in as soon as possible. Grants will be approved by our Youth Fund Assessors within 2 weeks of submission. We expect the last grant decisions to be given by Monday 25 March 2024.

Apply for a Youth Council Social Action grant

To apply for this grant, please complete the web form provided below:

Start form

Who should I contact for more information?

If you have any questions or need further guidance, contact the Youth Participation Team by emailing [email protected] or calling 07875 878859.