What is the Safe Spaces Youth Work Fund?
The Youth Scotland Safe Spaces Youth Work Fund is a small grant fund supported by The RS Macdonald Charitable Trust. This fund was created in response to the specific challenges which youth groups face around the prevention of—and alleviation of—risk of harm to children and young people. It will make small awards to enable youth groups to deliver better youth work to young people who are at risk or who have experienced ACE’s (Adverse Childhood Experiences).
Funds can be used for general youth work activity which creates safe spaces for young people who are at risk, as well as providing the opportunity to run issue-based programmes for young people affected by abuse and other Adverse Childhood Experiences, according to need.
The maximum amount per award is £2,000.
Supported by:
Who can apply?
Youth Scotland member youth groups which:
- Are based in Scotland;
- Can demonstrate that they support young people at risk or who have been affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences;
- Work with young people aged between 5 and 25 years old;
- Want to try new things, enhance existing provision or increase their capacity to deliver a specific project or programme;
- Are applying for up to £2,000. No match funding is required.
- The funds need to be spent and activities delivered by the 1st Sept, with end of grant report by 15th Sept.
Please note, we are looking to fund a range of projects across Scotland, including organisations experienced in this topic and organisations who are newer to working in this area of youth work.
When is the application deadline?
Wednesday 22 April 2026.
What happens after you apply?
Once we have received your application, we will review it to make sure all the information we need is included. Applications will be considered by a Grants Panel and we aim to let you know whether you have been successful by the end April 2026.