The Youth Investment Fund launched in August 2022, with a call for youth services in the most underserved areas in England to apply for a slice of a fund worth over £300 million to improve the health, wellbeing, skills, and opportunities for young people. It was the largest investment in the youth estate in more than half a century. The need for funding was overwhelming with 1,008 organisations applying, requesting over £1.06 billion in funding: a powerful signal of a sector in need of support and investment.

All eligible local authority areas had youth centres that were awarded Youth Investment Fund grants. And 70% of funded centres are in the most disadvantaged communities.  

• Almost 50K additional young people per week will use these spaces  
• More than 1 in 7 young people will live within a 35-minute walk of a new or improved youth service