Young Londoners Fund
The Mayor's Young Londoners Fund (YLF) has invested £45 million in 218 diverse youth projects. It helped children and young people to fulfil their potential, particularly those at risk of getting caught up in crime. The programme supported a wide range of local community projects, providing activities for young Londoners between 2018-2023.
Support for young Londoners is more vital than ever. The Mayor is investing over £34 million through 150 projects, as part of the New Deal for Young People, which has provided access to quality mentoring for over 70,000 young people so far.
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Overview of the Mayor’s Young Londoners Fund.
Aims of the fund
The Young Londoners Fund aimed to:
- provide aspirational and positive activities to help support young people to make positive choices and reach their potential
- give new options to children and young people most at risk of taking the wrong path and stop them getting involved in violence and criminal activity
- improve coordination and capacity of London’s youth offer so more children and young people can access services.
Young people's involvement in our work
Young people have been at the heart of the Young Londoners Fund from the very beginning.
The Mayor’s Peer Outreach Team and young people from youth organisations across London have helped at every stage of the Young Londoners Fund process, including:
- setting priorities for the Young Londoners Fund
- information sessions for applicants
- over 150 young people scored application questions
- project monitoring and visits
- project evaluation.
Young people's involvement is ongoing and we're developing a new toolkit to share practical ways to engage children and young people in accessing funding, project design and development and delivery, so that they are listened to and empowered.
Impact of the fund
Evaluation has shown that through the YLF, young people have experienced a wide range of positive outcomes, including increased engagement, improved mental health and well-being, improved relationships, improved behaviour, increased employment, reduced violence, and improved attainment.
Watch the videos below on how the YLF has affected those given funding and how youth workers have been making a difference in young people's lives.
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My Young Londoners Fund has helped more than 100,000 young people fulfil their potential through arts, sports, well-being, and mentoring projects. This film, 'Ignite Your Potential', was created by young Londoners, telling their story of how YLF-supported activities have changed their lives.
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Hackney Wick F.C. was one of the first organisations to successfully bid for funding from the Young Londoners Fund. They received £10,000, which went towards buying better equipment and hiring more staff.
Projects and activities
The fund saw £30 million invested directly to projects in local communities. The remaining £15 million were invested to expand existing projects funded by City Hall that support young Londoners.
The videos below illustrate the great work our funded organisations delivered in their communities.
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Football Beyond Borders
Their Different Paths project is working with 10-16-year olds who are at risk of permanent exclusion. The project harnesses young people’s passion for football, engages them in value-based classroom lessons and supports young Londoners to make better life choices.
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Ebony Horse Club
Their Lambeth Riding Stars project provides weekly horse-riding sessions, horse care lessons and youth worker support to young Londoners in Lambeth. Young people progress into further education and work, develop their key life skills and are exposed to a sport that they normally wouldn’t have access to.
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Chance to Shine
Their Street Cricket project provides weekly sports sessions and holiday competitions supporting harder to reach young people across the city. Their project is designed to raise aspirations, promote social cohesion and breakdown common barriers to participation in sport.
Opportunities for young Londoners
A new deal that recognises the huge challenges that the pandemic has presented to London's young people.
Find out more about the LVN app and access mentoring support and over 2000 opportunities for young people.
Keep up to date
Stay up to date by joining ‘C&YL Community’, our online forum for professionals working with children and young Londoners. The forum has currently over 800 members and gives you the opportunity to share experiences and encourage others to share good practice and sector news. To join email [email protected].
If you work with children and young people in any capacity in the London or Greater London area you can also join the Young Londoners Participation Network, the network provides an excellent opportunity to meet other organisations, find out about projects and programmes and even identify future partners.
Get involved
Get inspired by those who are making a difference in their communities and discover volunteering opportunities for young people.
Find out more