Photo Credit: Yan Krukau
Youth Music has announced a new £2.4 million funding initiative aimed at addressing racial inequality across the UK’s creative industries. Called the Recharge Fund: Racial Equity, the programme will provide grants of up to £120,000 over four years to organisations working with young people from communities experiencing racial injustice.
The fund is designed to support organisations creating opportunities for young people to access music, develop creative skills and pursue careers in the arts. It forms part of Youth Music’s wider commitment to making the music industry more accessible and representative, particularly for communities that continue to face structural barriers to participation.
Youth Music research shows only 36% of young people aged 18 to 25 from people-of-colour backgrounds envision a music career, and they are nearly half as likely as white peers to see themselves in leadership roles. Highlighting these access and representation gaps, the Recharge Fund prioritises organisations led by and serving communities facing racial injustice. Grants will support creative programmes and long-term sustainability, including leadership development, staff wellbeing, governance, strategic planning, and infrastructure, with approximately 20 organisations expected to receive funding.
National Lottery funding through Arts Council England backs the fund, prioritising historically underfunded areas in England. Applications opened on Oct 16, 2026 and close on Dec 4, 2026, with results expected by late March 2027.
