Creative and sports programmes grant

Applications open: 28th August 2025
Applications close: 19th September 2025

About this grant

This grant is for organisations that can deliver customised, innovative programmes using creative approaches with arts, health and wellbeing, or sports themes, to motivate, excite and engage young people aged 17-21, who are currently disengaged - enabling them to progress towards a positive destination.

It is part of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer national programme, designed to support young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) into employment. 

The funding allocated to this strand is designed to engage and support young people across the Liverpool City Region.

Who can apply?

Any organisation that is able to deliver the required service, within the required delivery timescales of October 2025 to 31st March 2026, can apply.

The successful delivery organisations will engage and provide personalised support for young people aged 17 to 21, who are not engaged with mainstream programmes, leading to positive progression into EET (Education, Employment or Training). 

The council is seeking applications from local delivery organisations with a proven track record of engaging and supporting young people who are NEET and delivering programmes that motivate and engage them. Delivery organisations must use individual or small group approaches, including utilising co-design approaches, where appropriate. 

The themes of the programmes must focus on creative approaches to attract young people:

• arts
• music
• creative
• digital
• sport, health and fitness

Delivery organisations must use individual or small group approaches, including utilising co-design approaches, where appropriate. Personalised action plans and programmes of support must be agreed with the young people. We expect to see detailed individual action plans for all participants and training that meets individual needs.

Working closely with us and the other Trailblazer providers is essential to support and progress these young people as part of a whole system. The delivery organisations will support specific young people who will be identified as a priority by our teams. 

How much money is being awarded?

£24,000 is available for each of four successful delivery organisations. The outcomes each organisation must deliver during the programme are:

• Average of 15 young people re-engaged and supported
• Average of 10 young people completing their programme and securing a positive EET destination in further learning, a job or apprenticeship.

How to apply

Please complete the request for an application pack form below, indicating which grants you are interested in applying for. We will then email the full application pack to you.

Applications must be submitted closing date 12 noon on 19th September 2025.

Request an application pack now

Further information

Please email youthtrailblazer@liverpool.gov.uk for further information.