Lead the Change
Programme overview
HIWCF is proud to be selected to manage funding for the ‘Lead the Change’ programme in Hampshire which aims to build relationships and leadership amongst young people in areas potentially affected by issues connected to the riots in parts of the UK in the Summer of 2024.
Lead the Change is a new, three‑year initiative launched by BBC Children in Need, in partnership 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.
The programme supports young people to play a leading role in strengthening relationships, fostering understanding and building belonging in their communities.
In Hampshire, three priority areas have been identified for the first part of this investment: Portsmouth, Southampton and Aldershot. We will shortly be seeking expressions of interest from community groups working with young people aged under 18 in any or all of those areas for bids for funding.
Please download the Applicant Guidance below to find out more about the progamme criteria.
Key information
- One grant of £123K over three years will be available.
- Expressions of interest will open on this page on the 1st April and must be submitted by 29 April.
- We will host a webinar and Q&A session for interested applicants on the 7 April at 1.30 pm – 3 pm. We strongly encourage interested applicants to join this webinar live (register below).
- Applicants successful at the expression of interest stage will be invited to complete a full application form in mid May.
- Assessment of full bids will take place from mid June and final decisions will be made at the end of August.
- Applicants will be required to demonstrate the strength of youth leadership and voice within their organisation, relevance to target communities (in particular young people impacted by xenophobia, racism, and islamophobia) and programme aims, safeguarding and trauma-informed practice, capacity to deliver and sustain impact and a commitment to the six principles of high-quality youth social action. We particularly welcome applications from organisations led by people most impacted by xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia.
Grant guidance webinar
You can view the webinar below or via this link on YouTube. You can also view the slides from the webinar, here.
Why this programme?
Research shows that many young people feel disconnected, less heard by decision makers, and increasingly cautious about expressing themselves – especially online, where exposure to harmful or misleading content can be common. Combined with financial pressures facing families and communities, these factors can deepen isolation and weaken young people’s sense of belonging.
Lead the Change responds by investing directly in youth leadership, community connection and opportunity. The programme enables youth‑led projects, creates safe spaces, strengthens relationships across communities, and helps young people build skills, including navigating online information and shaping positive narratives.
UKCF is supporting the initiative by working with Children in Need to co-ordinate the participation of 17 community foundations, who will deliver the grants to local community groups and also raise further funds.