The Paul Hamlyn Foundation has announced more than £2 million in grants through its Youth Strategic Investment Fund, supporting three UK-based organisations working to improve outcomes for young people facing systemic barriers.
The funding has been awarded to ECPAT UK (Every Child Protected Against Trafficking), The Foyer Federation, and We Belong, with each organisation receiving a five-year core grant of £550,000 along with additional strategic support valued at over £200,000. The initiative is designed to strengthen long-term organisational capacity and increase impact across youth-focused services.
Unlike short-term project funding, the Youth Strategic Investment Fund focuses on sustained development, leadership, and infrastructure support. The foundation described the approach as relational grant-making, aimed at helping organisations grow stronger systems and deliver lasting change in the youth sector.
ECPAT UK will use the funding to continue its work protecting children from trafficking and exploitation while advocating for systemic reform in child protection and justice systems. The organisation emphasises youth participation in shaping its advocacy and safeguarding work.
The Foyer Federation, which supports young people experiencing homelessness, will use the investment to expand its “Advantaged Thinking” model. This approach focuses on helping young people build independence through supported housing communities that emphasise learning, skills development, and long-term resilience.
We Belong, a migrant youth-led organisation, will use the grant to strengthen advocacy for young migrants in the UK. The organisation focuses on leadership development, policy change, and ensuring equal participation opportunities for migrant youth, while also investing in internal systems that support staff with lived experience.
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation said the investment reflects its commitment to supporting organisations that work directly with young people to address complex social challenges, including homelessness, exploitation, and inequality. The fund aims to ensure these organisations are not only delivering services but also building long-term capacity for sustainable impact.
Together, the grants represent a strategic effort to empower youth-led and youth-focused organisations across the UK, reinforcing their role in driving systemic change and improving opportunities for young people.
