Young people across the Liverpool City Region will be given the opportunity to design, lead and deliver projects that create lasting change in their communities through a new three-year programme launched by HYPE Merseyside and Vibe UK.

Supported by the #iwill Fund, the ambitious Vibrant Communities programme will empower young people to take ownership of community projects, develop leadership skills and make a positive difference in the places where they live.

Building on the extensive experience of both organisations in youth engagement, volunteering and community development, the initiative will give young people the chance to create their own social action projects rather than simply participate in existing activities.

From early 2027, HYPE Merseyside and Vibe UK will work alongside schools, colleges, youth organisations and community partners to recruit participants and gather ideas for projects.

Seacombe, Birkenhead, Liverpool City Centre and Bootle have been identified as key locations for the programme’s first year.

Young people to lead community transformation projects

Potential projects include transforming neglected sports courts, creating community artwork, developing cycling facilities, improving parks and green spaces, delivering environmental initiatives and bringing unused community spaces back into use.

However, the programme will place decision-making firmly in the hands of young people, encouraging them to identify issues and opportunities that may not yet have been considered.

The three-year initiative will begin in 2027, with two waves of youth-led social action taking place each year and up to four projects running simultaneously during each wave.

Initial recruitment will run from January to March 2027, with the first 12-week projects beginning in April. A second wave will launch in mid-June and continue throughout the summer.

Beyond the physical improvements delivered through the projects, Vibrant Communities aims to establish a lasting legacy by creating pathways into volunteering, leadership and volunteer coordinator opportunities.

Building on the success of Birkenhead Park

The programme follows the success of HYPE Merseyside’s previous youth-led initiatives, including its three-year Birkenhead Park Vibrant Parks project.

That initiative engaged more than 1,500 young people, delivered hundreds of volunteer hours and transformed 14 unused green spaces into areas that could once again be enjoyed by the community.

The project also generated £1.42 million in social value through improved wellbeing, enhanced employability, reduced social isolation and environmental improvements.

Additional benefits included reductions in antisocial behaviour, increased feelings of safety, stronger connections with the park and a greater sense of civic pride.

Matthew Houghton, Chief Executive of HYPE Merseyside, said:

“This feels like a really significant moment for HYPE. We’ve spent nearly 20 years creating opportunities for young people and we’ve seen first-hand what can happen when you give them responsibility, believe in their ideas and give them the support to make those ideas happen.

“Some of our previous social action projects, like Birkenhead Park, have started relatively small but have gone on to create programmes and opportunities that have lasted for years. That’s the legacy we want from this. We don’t want to tell young people what their communities need. We want to ask them, support them and then help them make it happen.

“Working alongside Vibe UK and with the support of the #iwill Fund gives us an opportunity to do this on a much bigger scale. Our goals have always been to Create Opportunities, Support Potential and Strengthen Communities, and I think the Vibrant Communities programme brings all three together.”

Supporting the next generation of community leaders

The partnership between HYPE Merseyside and Vibe UK will combine local community knowledge with expertise in youth engagement, safeguarding and personal development.

The organisations hope the programme will not only improve local spaces but also equip participants with the confidence, experience and skills needed to shape their futures.

Charlotte Brookes, from Vibe UK, said:

“We are delighted to be working with HYPE Merseyside on a partnership that puts young people’s voices, ideas and ambitions at its heart. By combining HYPE’s deep community roots with Vibe UK’s experience in youth engagement, safeguarding and personal development, we can support young people not simply to take part, but to lead meaningful social action.

“This programme is about creating lasting change in communities while helping young people build the confidence, skills and experience to shape their own futures.”

The initiative has been designed to support the aims of the #iwill Fund, which encourages young people across England to participate in high-quality social action.

The fund forms part of the wider #iwill Movement, which champions youth leadership and provides opportunities for young people to make a difference in their communities.

This round of funding is supported by The National Lottery Community Fund.

Sue Ormiston, Head of Funding for the #iwill Fund at The National Lottery Community Fund, said:

“Every young person should have the opportunity to explore their interests, create experiences that matter to them and shape their future. That’s exactly what the #iwill Fund does – helping to remove barriers and create meaningful opportunities for young people to lead social action projects on the issues they care most about.

“We are guided by young people’s voices, ideas and creativity, enabling them to build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.”

With recruitment beginning in January 2027, the Vibrant Communities programme represents a significant opportunity for young people across Merseyside to influence the future of their neighbourhoods while developing valuable skills and experience.

For further information or to register an interest in taking part, visit the HYPE Merseyside website.