Young Gamechangers Fund
Supporting young leaders that are transforming their communities
This fund isn’t currently open to applications. We expect the next round of funding to open in 2027.
About the fund
For too long, young people have been left out of the decisions that affect them the most. Co-op Foundation, in partnership with Co-op and the #iwill Fund, are tackling this through the £4.5m Young Gamechangers Fund.
The fund supports young people who are leading social action in communities across the UK with grants of up to £20,000. In addition to funding, successful applicants get access to a support offer which includes peer support networks and training, to help their vision come to life.
Rounds One and Two of the Young Gamechangers Fund were delivered by Global Fund for Children and Restless Development, alongside Co-op Foundation.
Co-op Live, the UK’s largest indoor arena, supports the Young Gamechangers Fund through an annual donation of at least £1m to the Co-op Foundation.
Built by young people, for young people
Young people have built this fund from the ground up, co-designing branding and developing every aspect of the fund from the application process through to grant decisions. Find out more about our youth steering group.
Round One
The first round of the fund launched in 2024, funding 33 young people and youth-led organisations ranging from Tess Howard, a Commonwealth gold medallist and her social enterprise, Inclusive Sportswear CIC, to Ali Ghaderi, a young actor and activist, originally from Iran, who is now supporting young refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants through The Young Babylon Project.
Round Two
In 2025, we funded a further 66 young gamechangers. From Jessica Booth, whose Project Wheels initiative will create the UK’s first youth-led wheelchair Rugby League team to Abby Gourlay, who is starting a youth-led marine conservation in the North West Highlands, these young people are all building communities of the future together.
What’s next?
In 2027, we will be launching a refreshed version of the fund for Round Three, which we will deliver directly.
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