Youth Scotland Grassroots Youth Work Fund

What is the Grassroots Youth Work Fund?

The Youth Scotland Grassroots Youth Work Fund is a small grants fund supported by the Scottish Government CLD Unit.

Supported by:

Scotland’s young people are facing unprecedented challenges, from the lasting impacts of COVID-19 to the escalating cost-of-living crisis. These pressures fall hardest on young people in disadvantaged communities, who are experiencing poorer mental health, increased exposure to anti-social behaviour and the criminal justice system, heightened poverty, and barriers to education and employment. Trusted community-based youth work is critical in helping young people navigate these issues by providing safe spaces, support to overcome barriers to learning, and opportunities to build skills.

Who can apply?

Youth Scotland member youth groups and other local community-based youth work groups that: 

• Are based in Scotland; 
• Can demonstrate that they are working with young people in SIMD 1–2 areas/young people experiencing multiple ACEs and impacted by poverty, criminal activity and anti-social behaviour; 
• Work with young people aged between 11 and 25 years old; 
• Want to try new things, enhance existing provision or increase their capacity to deliver a specific project or programme; 
• Are able to spend the grant and complete all delivery by 31st March 2026; 
• Are applying for up to £2,000. No match funding is required; 
• Have turn-over of less than £500,000. 

For non members only:

Please note that if you are NOT a Youth Scotland Member group, you will need to evidence that you are a bona fide local community-based youth work group/organisation who operates to quality standards. This will include demonstrating that you: 

• Are a constituted, voluntary organisation with appropriate governance structures in place; 
• Have appropriate Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies and procedures in place, including PVG’s for staff/volunteers;  
• Are a youth work organisation and not just a single activity sports/arts/thematic organisation delivering classes/workshops to young people; 
• Have a bank account in the name of your group/organisation. 

Priority will be given to youth groups and projects working with young people in SIMD 1–2 areas and with those experiencing multiple ACEs and the impacts of poverty, criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.

Grants of up to £2,000 will support grassroots, community-based youth work groups to create or enhance safe spaces where trusted adults can help young people develop resilience, confidence, and skills for life, and to run a wide range of youth work activities addressing poverty, isolation, anti-social behaviour and mental health challenges.

When is the application deadline?

For Youth Scotland Member groups: 

Applications should be received by:
12 noon, Monday 15th December 2025. 

For non-Youth Scotland Member groups: 

Applications should be received by:
12noon, Thursday 11th December 2025. 

This is to allow us time to do due diligence and check you meet the required Non-member criteria, as outlined above.

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 Friday 19th December 2025 but we will update you if there are any delays.