UK charity Youth Music and the People’s Postcode Lottery are offering grants of up to £30,000 a year to music projects across Great Britain.
The £1,750,000 Recharge Fund is a response to the many music projects across the nations that have been calling out for support to help boost them after the many months of lockdown. Research the charity undertook last year found that about 60% of creative organisations needed help with funding and income diversification due to the pandemic.
About 40 projects are expected to make successful applications, which opened on 23 November 2021 and close on 14 January 2022. The money will help them to adapt and improve their capacity to reach young people facing barriers, and to assist in the wellbeing of staff and volunteers. The grants will go towards salaries, freelance fees, communications and marketing, operations, digital development and strategy, income generation, training, organisational development and other core costs.
Matt Griffiths, CEO of Youth Music, said, ‘With young people nationwide being deeply impacted by the effects of the pandemic, equalising access to music is more important than ever.
‘However, our research shows that opportunities for young people decreased during the pandemic, with 63% of music organisations from our national network reporting that they’ve had fewer resources at the same time as demand for services is increasing.
‘This financial boost will ensure that grassroots music projects, and the people leading them, can bounce back better than before. Which means more young people can make, learn and earn in music over the next few years, thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.’
Further information can be found on the Youth Music website. Successful applicants will be informed on Friday 25th March, 2022.
