Community groups and grassroots organisations in Sefton can now apply for a share of £600,000 from the 2026 Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES Fund).

Safe, positive opportunities

Grants of £5,000 to £25,000 are available from the YES Fund for initiatives that give young people safe, positive opportunities and help steer them away from violence, exploitation, and anti-social behaviour.

YES is jointly delivered by Merseyside Police Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, and the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP).

Community groups, charities and third-sector organisations are invited to to submit bids for projects supporting young people under 25. Projects can range from skills and qualifications to confidence‑building and mentoring. Programmes that help young people make positive choices for their futures can also be submitted.

Focus

Projects can run throughout the year, with a focus on times issues can traditionally increase such as when young people are not in school. These include the summer holidays, autumn half term, Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Funding will be targeted in areas of Merseyside that have experienced the highest levels of violence and the biggest cuts to youth services. The aim of this focus is to keep young people safe and supported and helping to steer them away from trouble.

Last year’s YES-funded schemes included youth workers going out in hotspot areas, to mental health courses and leadership training, forest school activities and free sports coaching.

Applications

All applications must be submitted online via the Community Foundation for Merseyside website by 4pm on Friday 1^st May.

Community groups, charities and third-sector organisations can find more information and details of how to apply here.

Fun activities

James Proctor, Programme Director, Community Foundation for Merseyside said: “The YES Fund is a fantastic funding opportunity to support our local grassroots community organisations and their engagement work with young people.

“It is so important to recognise and support the valuable community projects delivered throughout the year, including key periods such as the summer school holidays and Autumn half-term period, which allow young people to get involved in sporting, cultural, digital, educational and crucially, fun activities which keeps them safe and helps to both reduce and prevent violence and anti-social behaviour”

The YES Fund will once again be administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside (CfM) which holds funds from individuals and organisations as donors who wish to support deserving causes in Merseyside