Football For Change to support young people and organisations with grants of up to £10k

Young people and organisations who support young people build better futures through education, employment and sport can now qualify for grants of up to £10,000 after Football For Change announced its first round of 2023 funding. 

Launched in 2021 by footballers Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Cody, Toni Duggan and Jamie Carragher  and business leaders including the CEO of Ardonagh Retail Ian Donaldson and public relations leader Dan Hughes, Football For Change brings together sports stars and business leaders to help NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people get into education or find employment opportunities, as well as helping  others from social and economically communities who face barriers achieving their full potential.

Football For Change has already sent 40 disadvantaged young people from Liverpool to the United States of America for a month-long sports and education retreat and has helped to finance the building of a new education hub in Bootle. It has helped young people into jobs by partnering with Local Solutions and has also helped homeless youngsters back into work and accommodation in Glasgow.

Now, the fund, managed by the Communities Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside, is encouraging young people and community projects in the North West who support young people to apply for grants. Funding will primarily focus on projects that provide life-changing opportunities in education and social mobility initiatives in education, employment and sport and will target those who have experienced poverty and economic challenges.  

Co-chair of Football For Change, Jamie Carragher, said: 

“Football For Change is investing in young people who have experienced tough starts in life. This fund is about giving them the tools to build better futures whether that be by providing opportunities in education, employment, training or sport. It is already making a huge difference and I cannot wait to see just how much this round of funding helps others.” 

Football For Change has the backing of football superstars including Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Lioness Beth Mead. Sir Rod Stewart is patron of the initiative and it has had major support from business leaders including founding sponsor Swinton Insurance. The CEO of Ardonagh Retail, which incorporates Swinton Insurance, is co-chair of the initiative. 

CEO of Ardonagh Retail, Ian Donaldson, who co-chairs Football For Change with Jamie Carragher, said: 

“With the current cost of living challenges, initiatives like Football For Change, which provide investment for young NEET people, are needed now more than ever. This vital funding will give access to life-changing opportunities to those in some of our toughest communities. I’d encourage everyone to apply, and I can’t wait to see the projects we’ll be funding to help young people reach their potential and build better futures.”  

Applications for this Football For Change funding can be made via the Communities Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside here until 20 February 2023.