Dormant assets funding support helps Scottish youth organisations address social issues

Thanks to Young Start funding announced today (12 August 2026), organisations supporting children and young people are:

• tackling social isolation

• encouraging sustainable living

• helping to reduce antisocial behaviour

Three of the ten groups receiving funding are:

• Girvan Youth Trust

• Golspie Youth Action Project

• Bright Green Nature

They will use the funding to run projects to encourage social inclusion and enterprise skills in rural areas. And to empower young Scots to engage with nature conservation in their local area.

Girvan Youth Trust

Girvan Youth Trust in South Ayrshire is using a £137,979 grant to continue its Streetlight Detached Youthwork project for 3 more years. The project will provide support, information and advice to at least 200 hard to reach or at-risk young people, who may be hesitant to participate in traditional youth work services.

The project will host workshops on issues including:

• drug and alcohol misuse

• sexual health

• self-defence

• first aid

Young people will also be able to take part in activities like:

• go-karting

• paintball

• dance and drama workshops

• theme park visits

When asked how Streetlight Detached Youthwork has supported them, one S3 pupil said: "They are the youth workers I didn't know I needed and now I don't know what I would do without them. Knowing they're there makes me feel safer at night."

Golspie Youth Action Project

Golspie Youth Action Project received £100,000 to continue providing youth services to build confidence, communication and social skills. It engages young people in upcycling workshops and volunteering opportunities in its youth-led charity shop, which houses their Community Reuse Shed. The project will benefit around 156 young people over 3 years.

Imogen, aged 12 said: "I enjoy helping to run the shop and taking on responsibility. I like having the craic with the customers and being part of the team. It has helped me feel more confident and given me new experiences."

Bright Green Nature

Bright Green Nature in Melrose is using a grant of £62,141 to support children and young people across the Scottish Borders. It aims to build their confidence by developing outdoor skills and a shared voice through a connection to nature.

Their Junior Rangers and Young Rewilders groups will engage participants in conservation activities in the local area including:

• habitat restoration

• wildlife monitoring

• digital communication

A programme of leadership, accreditation and mentoring opportunities will also be developed. Alongside a youth steering group that will inform the project's direction as it grows.

About Young Start funding

Young Start is funded by the Dormant Assets Scheme. This money comes from financial accounts that have not been used in over 15 years. The Reclaim Fund releases the funding and The National Lottery Community Fund distributes it. The Scottish Government set the priorities of the funding.

Young Start helps children and young people aged 8 to 24 become more confident and reach their full potential.

Young Start - Main Grants

Young Start - Main Grants funds organisations up to £150,000, for projects that run up to 3 years.

Young Start - Small Grants

Young Start - Small Grants helps organisations learn how to involve children and young people so they can:

• influence decisions about the organisation, its activities, or services

• choose when and how they're involved

It funds organisations up to £20,000, for projects that run up to a year. This funding is available to organisations with an annual income under £500,000.

Next steps

For more information, read about:

• Young Start - Main Grants

• Young Start - Small Grants

• organisations funded by Young Start - April to June 2026