The #iwill movement is a collaboration of over 1000 cross-sector organisations and over 300 young ambassadors across the UK.  They are united by a shared belief that all children and young people should be supported and empowered to make a positive difference on the issues that affect their lives, their communities and broader society. 

The #iwill Fund is a part of the broader #iwill movement.  It has been made possible thanks to a £66 million joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for
Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities.

By bringing together funders from across different sectors and by making sure young people have a say in where the funding goes, the #iwill Fund is taking a collaborative approach. It is designed to give young people the chance to lead change and make a positive contribution to their communities.

A learning-focused partnership

Youth social action involves activities such as campaigning, fundraising and volunteering, all of which enable young people to make a positive difference in their communities as well as develop their own confidence, skills and knowledge.

Activities can range from taking part in school peer-led groups, volunteering in social care settings, joining beach clean-ups, attending local council meetings, acting as a mentor for others, and much more.

UKCF became a partner of the #iwill Fund in 2015, (then called the ‘Youth Social Action Fund’).  The match-funding pilot was launched in England to understand and learn more about how support for groups working in the field of youth social action can impact young people and their communities.  UKCF managed the programme in consecutive years until 2024. 

During this period:

• Over £13.2 million was raised and distributed through match funding

• 2,180 grants were awarded to different community-led organisations and charities