Responding to the 33% increase in funding applications in the last 12 months, Youth Music have refined their application process and launched two new funds.
The funds, called Trailblazer and Catalyser, will provide a combined £8.9 million of investment over the next 12 months.
The Trailblazer Fund focuses on organisations who are innovating the way people experience music-making, such as those trialing new products. It is aimed at tackling barriers to music access faced by children and young people, offering grants between £2,000 and £30,000.
The Catalyser Fund is aimed at organisations who want to accelerate positive change by scaling up the delivery of current projects or sustaining projects for a longer-term, with grants between £30,000 and £300,000.
A consultant on Youth Music’s fund refinement project, Keith Sykes, said: ‘It is amazing to see a funder actively listening to and seeking out the views from people working across grassroots music. It was so positive to be part of such a diverse panel, drawing on their experience from across the sector. We were all given space to share ideas and explore how we make the application process as accessible and inclusive as possible.’
Carol Reid, programme director at Youth Music, said: ‘At Youth Music, we’ve seen first-hand how music has the power to change lives, especially for those who face barriers to access. We’re now seeing an unprecedented demand from creative organisations who often provide a lifeline to the young people they work with, but struggle for vital funding.’
‘By simplifying our application process, in consultation with the people we’re there to support, we can help equalise access to funding. It’s time for a step-change. By funders putting people at the heart of design and decision-making, they can open up access and ultimately, benefit more children and young people.’
For information about the Youth Music Trailblazer Fund, visit their website. Further information on the Catalyser fund will be available soon.
