Scotland’s children and young people shape how millions in forgotten funds are spent
23 February 2026
Children and young people across Scotland have helped shape how millions in unclaimed dormant assets will be invested as a major youth funding programme opens for applications today (Wednesday 25 February).
Young Start, delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund, will invest £9 million annually in projects run for and with 8 to 24-year-olds. The programme will fund projects that help children and young people build confidence, develop skills, strengthen relationships and take action on issues that matter to them.
The refreshed programme follows a 2-year research and co-design process reflecting the views of thousands of young people, including more than 130 who took part directly in workshops, conversations and co-design sessions. Together, they helped decide what issues matter most and how the funding should work.
Children and young people also helped write the programme’s outcomes in clearer language, reshaping Young Start to make it easier to access. New funding will support organisations to involve them meaningfully from the outset, and there are now more opportunities for young people to shape proposals before they are submitted.
Since launching in 2012, Young Start has backed more than 1,200 projects, awarding almost £75 million of dormant assets funding to youth groups across the country.
Neil Ritch, Scotland Director of the National Lottery Community Fund, said: “The refreshed Young Start programme is the result of what children and young people told us — and crucially, their work in helping us redesign this grant programme. They’ve been clear about how they want to be involved and the kinds of projects that matter to them. By investing dormant assets funding in their ideas and voices, Young Start removes barriers, provides meaningful opportunities, and helps young people build skills and confidence.
“We know from our wider experience distributing National Lottery and other public funds that young people want to make a real difference in their communities and the world around them—and this programme puts them at the heart of that change.”
Dylan Scott, 16, from Regen:FX Youth Trust, was among those who gave their ideas. He is part of the Springhall and Whitlawburn Youth Development Team, which received £99,571 from Young Start to give local young people a safe place to meet, build confidence and learn new skills.
"It felt good knowing that what we said could actually shape how funding works. We weren’t just being asked for opinions – we were helping design something. It made me more confident speaking up and sharing ideas."
Dylan, aged 16
Wendy McInally, Trust Manager at Regen:FX Youth Trust, added: “Young Start funding has been transformational for us. It’s allowed us to invest in leadership, peer-led projects and long-term support for young people, like Dylan, across our communities. Young people are the experts in their own lives. Co-design gives them a say and the confidence to use their voice.”
Young Start is open to community organisations across Scotland. For more information and to apply visit Young Start Main Grants page.
In the last three years, The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded a combined £68.3 million of dormant assets and National Lottery funding to 1,275 projects supporting children and young people across Scotland.