What is the Lead the Change Programme?
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.
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.
Lead the Change aims to support young people most impacted by xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia. This can be through projects/activities that aim to:
- Strengthen community connection and safety
- Empower young people as leaders, storytellers and changemakers.
- Support young people to build digital literacy and challenge harmful narratives.
- Increase opportunity through skills and leadership pathways.
- Build a national movement for youth‑led connection and change.
Other key information about this programme:
- Only one grant of £123,353 will be awarded.
- Grant length is 3 years
- Covers Bristol only (not other areas within the West of England)
What you can apply for
We are keen to fund organisations that will support young people to drive positive change in their communities, informed by local priorities. We will fund work that strengthens local relationships, builds confidence and belonging, and gives young people the tools to lead change.
Projects and activities may include:
- Safe spaces for young people to meet and connect – youth clubs, sports, creative and cultural spaces.
- Youth‑led community action and resilience – co‑designed projects, leadership development, and intercultural initiatives to bring people together.
- Pathways to opportunity – skills development, mentoring, training and connection to training or apprenticeships.
- Narrative change and digital literacy – tackling misinformation and disinformation, storytelling and youth-created content.
Please read the Guide for Applicants for information about what cannot be funded.
Who can apply
Applicants must be based and working in Bristol. Applicants must be a registered not-for-profit organisation that:
- Has a turnover of no more than £2m
- Have at least three trustees/directors/members of the governing body. There should be a majority who are unrelated.
- Work with children and young people aged 18 years and under
- Put the voices, experiences and skills of children and young people at the centre of everything they do, from design to delivery.
- Can demonstrate strong safeguarding and trauma-informed practice
We particularly welcome applications from organisations led by people most impacted by xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia.
Please read the Guide for Applicants for further information about who can apply.
Because this is a large multi-year grant, we need to be confident that your organisation has the capacity, systems, and track record required to manage funding at this level. Please consider this carefully before applying.
How to apply
Please read the Guide for Applicants before applying. We encourage you to call us before committing to this application process because only application can be funded.
There are two stages to applying:
Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Opens 1 April 2026
- You will have 4 weeks to submit your online EOI. The closing date will be Wednesday 29th April at 11am
The EOI is short. You’ll be asked for basic information about your organisation, a brief overview of your proposed work, and initial safeguarding information. You will be contacted by 13 May if you have been invited to make a full application.
Stage 2: Full application (Invitation Only)
- Invitations sent to successful EOIs by 13 May
- You will have at least 4 weeks to complete the online application form and you’ll be told the deadline when you receive the invite.
- When assessing your application, we will call you to discuss your safeguarding procedures.
Full applications ask for more detail about your project or activities, youth leadership, safeguarding, governance, finances and delivery plan.
You can return to your online form as many times as you like. However, please save the form as you go along.
Decision turnaround
For Expressions of Interest, you will be contacted by 13 May if you have been invited to make a full application. Those invited to submit a full application will receive a decision by the end of August.
