A significant investment is being made available to local organisations across the region, offering a vital opportunity to change the lives of thousands of young people.
Community groups and grassroots organisations are being invited to apply for a share of £600,000 as the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES Fund) officially reopens for 2026.
The initiative offers funding for projects focused on preventing serious violence by creating brighter futures for young people across Merseyside.
Jointly delivered by Merseyside Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell and the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (MVRP), the YES Fund provides grants of £5,000–£25,000 for initiatives that give young people safe, positive opportunities and help steer them away from violence, exploitation, and anti-social behaviour.
Launched in 2024, this year’s investment follows an exceptional two years for the scheme, with more than £1 million invested and nearly 25,000 young people supported across Merseyside.
Now, the PCC and MVRP are building on that momentum by opening the fund for a third year.
Building Momentum for a Third Year
They are inviting community groups, charities and third-sector organisations to submit bids for projects supporting young people under 25, from skills and qualifications to confidence‑building, mentoring and programmes that help them make positive choices for the future.
Funding will be targeted in areas of Merseyside that have experienced the highest levels of violence and the biggest cuts to youth services.
Projects can run throughout the year, with a focus on times when issues can traditionally increase, such as during the summer holidays, autumn half term, Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Empowering Local Grassroots Organisations
Last year’s investment supported a wide variety of initiatives, including youth workers in hotspot areas, mental health courses, leadership training, and free sports coaching.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:
“Over the past two years, the YES Fund has shown just how powerful early intervention can be.
“Thousands of young people have benefited from sport, arts, digital skills, mentoring and wellbeing support, all delivered by the incredible grassroots organisations which know their communities best.
“The Yes Fund has already helped to create even more safe spaces and positive pathways for young people right across Merseyside, offering them an amazing array of activities and opportunities across our region, all focused on keeping them safe and preventing them from getting drawn into dangerous or harmful behaviour.
“Investing in prevention and early intervention is essential if we are to reduce serious violence in our communities.
“With another £600,000 available for 2026, we want to go even further.
“We’re calling on our brilliant local charities, youth groups and community organisations to bring forward their ideas and help us continue building safer, brighter futures for our young people.”
The YES Fund will once again be administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside (CfM).
James Proctor, Programme Director at the 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”
All applications must be submitted online via the Community Foundation for Merseyside by 4 pm on Friday, 1st May.
Interested organisations can apply through the official Youth Empowerment Scheme page on the CfM website.
