Charities that work to improve the employment prospects of disadvantaged children and young people are being invited to apply for a share of £6m of funding.
The Inspiring Futures programme is being funded by £3m from both BBC Children in Need and the Youth Futures Foundation, and will offer grants of up to £80,000 over the next 18 months.
The funding is open to UK charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations that support children and young people to develop skills, gain experience and, ultimately, find employment.
The funding is open to projects that support people aged between 10 and 24 in England, and between 10 and 18 in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
The funders said they wanted to encourage applications from organisations working with black, Asian and minority ethnic children and young people.
Simon Antrobus, chief executive of BBC Children in Need, said: “We want to ensure that all children and young people are able to thrive at every stage of their lives and have the chance to achieve their full potential.
“This includes addressing the additional impact Covid-19 will have on their future prospects and employability.”
Anna Smee, chief executive of the Youth Futures Foundation, said: “With nearly a million young people facing unemployment, this is a crucial time to provide additional support to organisations delivering activities that enable young people to achieve their goals and overcome the barriers they face.”
For more information and to apply click here. Applications will close at 11:30am on 31 July.