Coastal Social Action Grants Programme

The Coastal Social Action Grants Programme has been established by the UYA supported by The #iwill movement, The National Lottery and DCMS to support organisations that work alongside young people to design, develop and lead meaningful social action projects within their communities.

Through grants of £3,000 to £25,000, the programme will invest in new or additional activities that respond directly to the priorities, experiences and ideas of local young people across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. Projects should enable young people to take an active role in identifying community challenges and creating solutions that make a lasting difference.

Managed locally through a partnership approach, the programme recognises that young people are experts in their own lives and communities. Funding will support organisations to amplify youth voice, encourage leadership, build skills and confidence, and create opportunities for young people to contribute positively to the places where they live.

The programme is designed to ensure that young people are actively involved in shaping and leading social action that addresses issues they care about. Successful projects will support young people to develop confidence, wellbeing, agency and transferable skills, while creating visible and lasting benefits within their communities. We are particularly interested in projects that enable young people to influence local decisions, build positive relationships with community leaders and decision-makers, demonstrating the value of youth-led action. Funded organisations will also contribute to a stronger youth sector across the Fylde Coast by sharing learning and helping to build a culture where young people are recognised as active citizens and changemakers.

Applications must align with one of the following priority themes as decided by our youth grant panel. Applicants are encouraged to refer to the programme guidance, which includes recommendations and insights on the types of projects that young people feel would have the greatest impact:

Projects should demonstrate genuine youth involvement at every stage of the process, including an application section for them to fill out directly to show how young people will shape and influence the outcomes achieved.