Children and Young People's Funder Collaboration

The Children and Young People’s Funder Collaboration is a group of funders who are deeply concerned about the impact Covid-19 is having on children and young people – particularly those already experiencing key risk factors. They want to collectively challenge themselves to ensure that they are working as effectively as possible to support children and young people through and beyond this crisis. This collaboration asks, "How can we, together, maximise the difference we make in the lives of children and young people?"

The crisis has challenged established ways of doing things and practices not thought possible at the beginning of 2020 are now features of our everyday lives. This period of change and disruption presents not only enormous challenges that require our collective effort, but also a profound opportunity for society to adapt and do away with the approaches which see so many children and young people disadvantaged and unable to reach their potential.

By exploring specific areas of focus for collaboration in the context of Covid-19, this collaboration aims to begin a wider conversation about how the sector works together to meet this challenge including how it is shared with children and young people the power to inform how that opportunity is taken.

Areas of collaboration focus

The Children and Young People’s Funder Collaboration has identified some areas of collaboration focus (or ‘sub-groups’) set out below. These are a starting point for practical, focused discussions around collaboration and it is expected that they will shift, merge their focus will be refined as groups decide where the genuine opportunities for collaborative action are. They also expect more groups to form as new themes or needs become apparent and, crucially as we develop a shared vision and strategy for children and young people.

Each of our sub-groups are at different stages. As each group takes forward its particular area of focus, they feed back in to a central discussion. This is an opportunity to share progress and consider connections as well as for each member to think about how these discussions should impact on their own plans and initiatives. The central discussions also provide an opportunity for funders to share early planning for funding, or other initiatives, so that – collectively – members can identify new opportunities for potential coordination and collaboration.

Ensuring children & young people’s voices are at the heart of CYP funding (led by Joe Rich, The National Lottery Community Fund)

Building a shared vision and strategy for children and young people (led by Jan Carruthers, BBC Children in Need)

Sharing our approach to learning and insight (led by Craig Tomlinson, BBC Children in Need)

Working together to support and strengthen infrastructure to ensure young people thrive (led by Ruth Pryce, Paul Hamlyn Foundation)

Collaborating to ‘empower local’ (led by Justin Watson, Young Manchester)

Collaborating to increase access to social welfare law advice for children and young people (led by Claire Carter, Access to Justice Foundation)

Operationalising funder collaboration  - learnings from funder collaborations including #iwill Fund and youth social action (led by Helen Whyman, The National Lottery Community fund / #iwill)

Collaborating to support young people into employment (led by Dilys Winterkorn, Youth Futures Foundation)