Newcastle Youth Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_AFAC4530

Annual Expenditure: £0.6M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £500,000-£620,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Applications reviewed after deadline; projects start following April
  • Grant Range: £10,001 - £25,000
  • Geographic Focus: Newcastle upon Tyne (four designated localities)
  • Application Type: Fixed deadline (annual rounds)

Contact Details

Primary Contact: newcastleyouthfund@newcastle.gov.uk

Pre-application Contact: mark.shone@newcastle.gov.uk

Website: https://new.newcastle.gov.uk/communities/grants-funding/funding-voluntary-community-organisations/newcastle-youth-fund

Application Portal: https://newcastle-central.oncreate.app/i/portal/login

Overview

The Newcastle Youth Fund was established in 2021 as a partnership between Newcastle City Council and The National Lottery Community Fund. Now in its fifth year, the fund has distributed more than £2 million to grassroots youth initiatives across Newcastle. The fund operates with an annual budget of approximately £500,000-£620,000, with Newcastle City Council investing £290,000 per year and The National Lottery Community Fund contributing £150,000 annually (for the first two years). What distinguishes this fund is its youth-led approach: local young people aged 13-25 serve on the Youth Panel, reviewing applications, selecting projects, and conducting monitoring visits. The fund supports diverse, high-quality youth provision for young people aged 13-19, or up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), across four Newcastle localities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Newcastle Youth Fund Main Programme

  • Grant amount: £10,001 - £25,000
  • Duration: 12-month projects
  • Application method: Annual fixed deadline (typically opens mid-June, closes mid-July)
  • Projects start: 1st April following the application round
  • Payment structure: Four instalments paid in advance
  • Monitoring: Two reporting submissions required during project period

Priority Areas

Projects must address at least two of the following themes:

  • Mental and physical health support for young people
  • Building community resilience
  • Supporting education, training, and employment aspirations
  • Reducing risk-taking behaviors
  • Supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
  • Supporting ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ young people
  • Preventing violence against women and girls

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects that duplicate existing provision
  • Activities occurring exclusively during school holidays
  • Formal education or tuition
  • Projects that promote a particular religion
  • Projects that directly support or promote a political party
  • Overhead costs exceeding 10% of total project costs

Application Limits

  • Organizations can submit up to four applications maximum
  • Organizations can receive a maximum of two awards
  • Duplicate applications across different localities are prohibited
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Governance and Leadership

The Newcastle Youth Fund is administered by Newcastle City Council in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund. The fund is overseen by:

Newcastle City Council Cabinet

  • Cllr Lesley Storey, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, stated: "It's fantastic to see the Newcastle Youth Fund return for a fifth year“ and ”this funding represents a powerful investment in the future of Newcastle's young people. It's inspiring to see young people at the heart of this process, shaping initiatives that truly reflect their needs and aspirations."
  • Cllr Paula Holland, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills (previous rounds), emphasized that applications should help organizations “positively engage with young people in neighbourhoods, support their education and creativity, and encourage positive engagement within their communities.”

The National Lottery Community Fund Partnership

  • Duncan Nicholson, Regional Head of Funding, noted: “Thanks to national lottery players we are delighted to be able to support Newcastle Youth Fund.”

Youth Panel

The Youth Panel comprises local young people aged 13-19 (or up to 25 with SEND) who:

  • Review all funding applications
  • Select successful projects
  • Conduct monitoring visits to funded organizations
  • Receive training and support from The National Lottery Community Fund and Newcastle-based organizations

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Online applications only through the official portal: https://newcastle-central.oncreate.app/i/portal/login
  2. Paper-based applications are no longer accepted
  3. Request the complete application guide from mark.shone@newcastle.gov.uk
  4. Applications are reviewed by the Youth Panel and City Council officers
  5. Decisions cannot be appealed

Application Timeline (Based on 2025/26 Round)

  • Application opens: Monday, 16 June 2025
  • Application deadline: Friday, 11 July 2025 at 5:00 PM
  • Review period: Applications reviewed after deadline by Youth Panel
  • Notification: Via email after review process
  • Project start date: 1 April 2026
  • Project duration: 12 months

Required Documentation

  • Public liability and employers liability insurance policies
  • Safeguarding policy (reviewed within past year)
  • Health and safety policy (reviewed within past year)
  • Equality and diversity policy (reviewed within past 3 years)
  • Governing document (Articles of Association, Constitution, or Memorandum)
  • Last two years' annual accounts
  • Recent bank statement
  • Video or other media produced by young people explaining what young people will gain from the project
  • Name of a lead young person involved in the project

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are scored 0-5 on seven criteria:

  1. Youth voice (video/media by young people)
  2. Proposed project design
  3. Beneficiaries and reach
  4. Skills, knowledge, and experience of the organization
  5. Priority themes and outcomes
  6. Project costs and value for money
  7. Overall score

Success Rates

Round 1 (2022): 25 projects funded, total £515,000

Round 3 (2024/25): 23 projects funded, total £620,000

Round 4 (2025/26): 24 projects funded, total £524,000

The total number of applications received is not publicly disclosed, so precise success rates cannot be calculated.

Reapplication Policy

The fund does not explicitly prohibit reapplication from unsuccessful applicants. However:

  • Decisions cannot be appealed
  • With permission, unsuccessful applications may be shared with alternative funders
  • Organizations may apply in subsequent rounds

Application Success Factors

Critical Success Factors

  1. Youth involvement is paramount: Applications must include a video or other media produced by young people explaining the project benefits. This is not optional—it's a scored evaluation criterion.
  1. Use appropriate language: As explicitly advised by the council, “young people will be reviewing your application, and use appropriate language.” Applications should be accessible and youth-friendly, avoiding jargon or overly technical language.
  1. Demonstrate genuine youth consultation: You must “demonstrate that you have listened and responded to the needs of local young people.” Generic proposals not rooted in young people's expressed needs are unlikely to succeed.
  1. Address multiple priority themes: Projects must address at least two of the seven priority themes. Stronger applications often address three or more themes convincingly.
  1. Keep overhead costs low: Overhead cannot exceed 10% of total project costs. This fund prioritizes direct delivery over administration.
  1. Choose your locality strategically: Projects must operate within one of Newcastle's four designated localities (East, Inner West, North, Outer West). Study the geographic distribution of past funded projects to understand where gaps may exist.

Examples of Funded Projects

Round 3 (2024/25) funded projects include:

  • Action for Children: SOCEIS Early Intervention (£30,000-£35,000)
  • Northumberland Wildlife Trust: Eco Influencers (£30,000-£35,000)
  • Streetwise: East Outreach & Youth hub (£30,000-£35,000)
  • Jobes Boxing & Fitness Gym CIC: Bounce Back to Fitness (£20,000-£25,000)
  • NE Youth: Kenton Youth Project (£30,000-£35,000)
  • Hat-Trick: Hat-Trick in the North (£20,000-£25,000)
  • Curious Arts: Curious Youth Music (£10,000-£15,000)

These examples show that both well-established charities and smaller community interest companies can succeed, with awards spanning the full grant range.

Common Characteristics of Successful Applications

  • Strong track record of youth work in Newcastle
  • Clear evidence of youth co-design in project planning
  • Compelling youth-produced media demonstrating genuine engagement
  • Specific, measurable outcomes aligned with multiple priority themes
  • Realistic budgets with good value for money
  • Named involvement of a lead young person

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Youth voice is everything: The Youth Panel reviews applications and conducts site visits. Create your application with young people, not just for them. The required youth-produced video is central to success—invest time in making it authentic and compelling.
  1. Write for a youth audience: Avoid academic language, sector jargon, and complex terminology. If a 13-year-old can't understand your application, it won't resonate with the panel.
  1. Demonstrate co-design, not consultation: Don't just say you consulted young people—show how their input shaped your project design, delivery methods, and outcomes.
  1. Meet all eligibility requirements: Have all policies reviewed within required timeframes, maintain proper insurance, and ensure governance documents are current. Missing documentation will disqualify your application.
  1. Be strategic with your locality: You can submit up to four applications across different localities but can only receive two awards. Study which localities have fewer funded projects and where genuine need exists.
  1. Plan for annual cycles: Applications open once per year with a fixed deadline. Projects start the following April, giving you 9+ months of preparation time. Don't rush—use this time to genuinely engage young people in project design.
  1. Budget realistically: The fund provides generous awards (£10,001-£25,000), but grants are paid in four instalments. Ensure your organization has sufficient cashflow to operate between payments.

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