Young people set to create change on their own terms as £20m #iwill Fund returns

Young people across England - particularly those facing disadvantage, discrimination, or underrepresentation - now have a powerful opportunity to lead change in their communities, as £20 million in National Lottery funding becomes available today.

The National Lottery Community Fund is launching the latest strand of #iwill funding, ready to equip the next generation with the tools to champion the causes they care about most. Whether it’s running local projects, campaigning for safer streets, or fighting for a cleaner, greener future, the #iwill Fund is about building leadership, boosting confidence, and turning passion into meaningful action.

Crucially, #iwill puts young voices front and centre - giving them the power to influence decisions, shape local services, and lead change both in their neighbourhoods and on a national scale.

Like previous strands of #iwill funding this latest round will support young people up to age 20 (or 25 with additional support needs) to take practical action, build skills, and have their voices heard on the issues that matter most to them.

Ayomide Adeyemi, 21, a psychology student at Hull University and Peer Researcher with the #iwill funded Peer Action Collective – said: “Growing up in Bradford, I saw the challenges young people face, like gang violence, but also what’s possible when you empower them and give them opportunities.

“Through the Peer Action Collective, I met young people in their communities, led research on challenges, and helped give them a voice. It built my confidence and meant I could take part in workshops and speak at conferences – things I never thought I could do.

“I helped open a youth room at The Tigers Trust Arena in Hull and helped create a Youth Room Toolkit and Youth Voice Toolkit, which other organisations can use so many more young people can have access to safe spaces and have their voices heard.

“My work with the Peer Action Collective has brought me closer to my dream of becoming a clinical psychologist, by helping me gain invaluable skills, like putting people at ease so they can share their worries and the barriers they face.

“It has been so rewarding empowering other young people to speak up about what they want to see in their local area, strengthening their voice and helping their communities.”

The #iwill Fund places a strong emphasis on equity, prioritising young people experiencing poverty, discrimination, or disadvantage - ensuring that youth social action is truly inclusive.

Projects can range from volunteering and mentoring to campaigning and leading community initiatives, with grants available from £30,000 to £5 million.

Commenting on the return of the programme, which is fully funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, its England Director, Phil Chamberlain, said:

“We know that young people want to make a real difference in their communities and the world around them. The #iwill Fund helps remove barriers and provides meaningful opportunities for young people to lead social action projects that matter to them. By investing in their ideas and voices, we’re not only helping them build skills and confidence but also shaping a future where youth leadership is central to tackling society’s biggest challenges.

“This work aligns with our overall strategy to support children and young people to thrive by building on their strengths, aspirations, and power to lead change.”

Through the programme, organisations across England can apply for funding to either deliver youth social action projects directly or take on a funding role - supporting other eligible organisations to do the same. All applicants are required to provide match funding.

This round of funding is especially focused on projects that bring new voices into the social action space - particularly those engaging young people for the first time, led and shaped by young people themselves, and actively challenging negative stereotypes about young people.

Applications close on Wednesday 19 November 2025.

Over the last year, The National Lottery Community Fund awarded over half a billion pounds (£686.3 million) of life-changing funding to communities across the UK, supporting over 13,700 projects to turn their great ideas into reality.