Youth Matters Fund – £6 Million Opportunity to Deliver the National Local Youth Transformation Pilot

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched a significant funding opportunity to appoint a delivery partner for the Youth Matters Fund Local Youth Transformation Pilot.

Worth up to £6 million, this national competition is seeking an experienced organisation or consortium to work with government and local partners to strengthen youth services, improve collaboration and support better outcomes for young people across England. The successful organisation will lead delivery of the pilot programme from October 2026 to March 2031. (gov.uk)

About the Youth Matters Fund

The Youth Matters Fund forms part of the Government's wider Youth Matters strategy, which aims to improve opportunities for young people by supporting high-quality local youth provision and strengthening the organisations that deliver it.

The Local Youth Transformation Pilot will help selected local areas develop more sustainable, collaborative and evidence-informed youth systems, ensuring that young people can access the support and opportunities they need.

Funding Available

DCMS has allocated up to £6 million to a single lead organisation or consortium to deliver the programme over five years.

• Indicative annual funding is:
• 2026/27: Up to £700,000
• 2027/28: Up to £1.3 million
• 2028/29: Up to £1.3 million
• 2029/30: Up to £1.35 million
• 2030/31: Up to £1.35 million 

Who Can Apply?

Applications are invited from organisations with the capability to manage a large-scale national programme, including:

• Registered charities
• Social enterprises
• Public sector organisations
• Private sector organisations
• Consortia led by an eligible organisation (gov.uk)

Applicants must demonstrate the organisational capacity, governance arrangements and financial resilience required to deliver a programme of this scale. The annual grant requested must not exceed 50% of the lead organisation's average annual income over the previous two financial years.

What Will the Successful Organisation Deliver?

The appointed delivery partner will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the Local Youth Transformation Pilot by:

• Working with pilot local authorities and partners.
• Supporting collaboration across local youth systems.
• Providing programme management and coordination.
• Delivering learning, networking and capacity-building activities.
• Gathering evidence, monitoring progress and sharing best practice nationally.
• Supporting local areas to embed sustainable improvements in youth services. 

Key Dates

• Applications opened: 18 July 2026
• Application deadline: 11:59pm on Tuesday 19 August 2026
• Delivery period: October 2026 – March 2031 

Who Is This Opportunity Best Suited To?

This competition is designed for organisations with significant experience in:

• Youth sector development
• Programme management
• Partnership and system leadership
• Organisational development and capacity building
• Working with local authorities and VCSE organisations
• Monitoring, evaluation and learning

Consortium bids are encouraged where organisations can bring together complementary expertise and national reach.

Find Out More

Full guidance, eligibility criteria and application documents are available on GOV.UK:

Youth Matters Fund Delivery Partner Competition Guidance