Youth Empowerment Scheme Opens for 2026: building on two years of major impact for young people across Merseyside
Community groups and grassroots organisations are being invited to apply for a share of £600,000 as the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES Fund) officially reopens for 2026 – offering funding for projects focused on preventing serious violence by creating brighter futures for young people across Merseyside.
Jointly delivered by Merseyside Police Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, and the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP), the YES Fund provides grants of £5,000–£25,000 for initiatives that give young people safe, positive opportunities and help steer them away from violence, exploitation, and anti-social behaviour.
They are inviting community groups, charities and third-sector organisations to submit bids for projects supporting young people under 25 – from skills and qualifications to confidence‑building, mentoring and programmes that help them make positive choices for the future.
Projects can run throughout the year, with a focus on times when issues can traditionally increase, such as during the summer holidays, autumn half term, Halloween and Bonfire Night, when young people are not in school and there may be little for them to do.
Funding will be targeted in areas of Merseyside that have experienced the highest levels of violence and the biggest cuts to youth services, with the aim of keeping young people safe and supported and helping to steer them away from trouble.
The YES Fund will once again be administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside (CfM) which holds funds from individuals and organisations as donors who wish to support deserving causes in Merseyside.
All applications must be submitted online via the Community Foundation for Merseyside by 4pm on Friday 1 May.