Young Gamechangers Fund

This is what we LOVE to see. This article outlines how the Co-op Foundation have been involving young people in their campaign work to ensure youth voices are at the heard at every stage of our decision-making and delivery. A fantastic bit of best practice by a fantastic organisation!

We believe in young leaders, not just in theory, but in action. That’s why we asked young changemakers to tell us what motivates them, what obstacles they face and how we can support them better. The insights from our Annual Young Leaders Survey are a wake-up call for all of us who believe in youth-led change. Check them out here: https://lnkd.in/dG9Nhh9T What’s one way we can better support young leaders in driving real impact? Drop your thoughts in the comments! ?? #YoungLeaders #RestlessDevelopment #YouthPower #FutureOfLeadership #AnnualSurvey

?? Exciting News! Two Young Gamechangers Honoured in the New Year’s Honours List ?? We may be a little late to the party, but we couldn't miss the chance to celebrate two incredible Young Gamechangers who have been recognised for their outstanding contributions! ?? Tess Howard MBE has been awarded an MBE for services to inclusive sportswear for women and girls. As the founder of Inclusive Sportswear CIC, Tess has been a leading advocate for choice and inclusion in sports clothing policy, ensuring that all women and girls feel comfortable and empowered to participate in sport. ?? Kevin Osei BEM has been awarded the BEM for his work supporting underrepresented young people to achieve career success. As the Founder of Bridging Barriers, Kevin has helped over 2,000 young people through career mentoring, masterclasses, and networking events, breaking down barriers to opportunity. We are beyond proud to see Young Gamechangers making a real impact—and getting the recognition they deserve! ???? #YoungGamechangers #NYHonours #Inclusion #SocialMobility #Changemakers

???Get Ready With Us - Muslim Northern Women Edition?? Join us behind the scenes of the?Muslim Girls Finding Power Programme, where young Muslim women are rewriting the narrative by embracing their power to lead, innovate, and drive transformative change. ??? From mentorship to leadership development, this program is breaking barriers and equipping incredible young women with the tools to thrive in every space they occupy. Because when we invest in their potential, we’re not just uplifting individuals—we’re igniting a ripple effect of courage, creativity, and collective impact. Here’s what truly inspires us:?Community is power.??? By fostering safe spaces for dialogue, amplifying diverse voices, and celebrating resilience, we’re proving that solidarity can move mountains. Every story shared, every challenge overcome, and every dream pursued is a step toward a brighter, more inclusive future.

?? Q&A Time! ?? Last week, we caught up with Elizabeth from Allyship to check in on her progress! ?? ?? Allyship is a project developed to reduce gender-based violence by fostering allyship between all genders. Elizabeth started this initiative because nothing else like it existed, and she’s passionate about creating a safer, kinder world—for young women, her younger brothers, and everyone in the community. ?? Why is this important? Allyship empowers young people to call out sexist and unkind behaviours early, making schools and communities safer for all. Young women feel more secure, and men are learning how small actions can make a big difference. ?? Elizabeth’s advice? Reach out to others doing similar work—collaboration is key to making an impact! ?? #QandA #Allyship #SaferCommunities #YouthEmpowerment

This #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek we want to talk about our Young Gamechanger, Gemma who is working on a project supporting young people called Looking Up in Leigh. As this year's them is #KnowYourselfGrowYourself we want to spotlight this project's in work supporting young people thrive. Through this amazing work empowering young leaders to participate in their local community, they are allowing them to develop changes which positively impact their mental health. ?? Young Gamechangers Fund #YoungGamechangersFund #MentalHealth #YouthMentalHealth #YouthFunder

?? Investing in young people isn’t just about their future—it’s about the future of society. ?? When we fund education, mental health support, and opportunities for growth, we create a world where young minds can thrive. ???? Stronger youth today means a healthier, more resilient tomorrow. Let’s make sure no young person is left behind! ??? #InvestInYouth #MentalHealthMatters #StrongerFuture #SupportYoungMinds #YouthWellbeing #BreakTheStigma #FutureLeaders

One month into your New Year's resolutions... how's it going? ??? Whether you're smashing goals or feeling the struggle, now is the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and refocus. Resolutions may shift, but one thing that should always stay on your list is?YOUTH POWER!??? Young people bring fresh ideas, energy, and innovative solutions to the table. Their perspectives challenge the status quo and inspire progress in ways we can't always anticipate. As leaders, decision-makers, and changemakers, we have a responsibility to not only listen to youth voices but to actively integrate them into our strategies and actions. If you're revisiting your goals—whether for your organisation, community, or personal growth—ask yourself:?Is youth participation a priority??Because it should be. Empowering young people should never be an afterthought; it should be at the forefront of how we plan, lead, and evolve. So, as we continue through the year, let's commit to meaningful engagement, mentorship, and collaboration with the next generation of leaders. Let’s rewrite those resolutions and make space for real, lasting change. ???? #YouthPower #DecisionMakers #RewriteTheResolutions #YouthLed #FutureFocused

??? This weekend, the YGF Steering Group is coming together for a weekend residential to review applications from Grant Round 2. This is an exciting and crucial moment, as young people will be making the key decisions on which youth-led projects receive funding. Youth decision-making is at the heart of ensuring that funding truly meets the needs of young people and their communities . When young people are given the power to make funding decisions, it not only empowers them but also ensures resources are allocated in a way that is relevant, impactful, and sustainable. Young people have a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities within their own communities. They bring fresh perspectives, lived experiences, and innovative ideas that might otherwise be overlooked. By placing young people in the decision-making seat, we can break down barriers, foster leadership, and ensure that funding is directed towards initiatives that matter most to them. Youth-led funding also helps to build essential skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, and financial literacy, preparing young people for future leadership roles. More importantly, it cultivates a sense of ownership and responsibility, showing them that their voices and ideas are valued. Youth participation is not just an option – it’s a necessity. By investing in youth-led decision-making, we’re not only funding great projects but also building a generation of confident, capable young leaders who will drive positive change for years to come. We’re excited to see the decisions made this weekend and the impact they will have on communities.

Every year Co-op Live will donate at least ￡1m to us! The donation will support young people and youth organisations to create fairer, kinder, more inclusive communities across the UK. Young people like Oscar S. ?? ?? Watch this film to learn more about the positive impact Oscar's project, Transilience, is having in Devon! Transilience is funded by our Young Gamechangers Fund ?? Learn more about our partnership with Co-op Live ?? https://bit.ly/3VkJcq0 #YoungGamechangers #FutureCommunities #TransAwareness #communities #inclusion #funder #funding #CoopLive