We're here to prove that music isn’t just for some – it’s for everyone.

We turn data into action – helping young people not just make music but make a living from it. 

Our research drives change, holding us accountable as a bold, equitable changemaker. 

95%

NextGen creatives agree that funding improved their self-confidence and belief

As well as improving the quality of their work and enabling them to make things happen on their own terms

100,000+

children and young people making, learning and earning in music

We invest in grassroots music making across the nation, with 87% of our funding invested outside of London over the last year

£10 million

invested in young people’s creativity

Over the last year, we’ve invested in 294 new grants including over £240k in 103 NextGen creatives

Our Impact
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Youth Music Awards

The Youth Music Awards is a vibrant celebration of young talent, representing the future of music with every beat and lyric.
 
Discover the stories behind the talent

Latest News

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news

Music Law 101: Legal Essentials for Young Creatives

June's NextGen Community event with Amazon and Morrison Foerster gave young creatives a masterclass in music law. Catch the key tips on contracts, royalties, sync and protecting your rights from top entertainment lawyers.

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Spit Game Youth Music Awards
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Youth Music Seeks PR Agency for Youth Music Awards 2026

We are seeking a partner to deliver a high-impact PR campaign for the Youth Music Awards 2026.

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Pride Month: Finding Rainbows Through the Noise

This Pride Month, read Youth Music NextGen writer N. Shehzad's story of queerness, identity, and belonging in punk and metal scenes, exploring how music offers both escape and resistance.

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young people laughing and smiling in a recording studio in front of a Youth Music sign
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Young People Are Telling Us What They Need from Music

Youth Music’s evidence to the Young Creatives Commission shows over 100,000 young people want greater access to music and creativity, but the system is letting them down. 

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Meet The Recipients of Beatport Funding

We’ve teamed up with Beatport to support the next generation of young DJs, producers and electronic music makers across the UK.

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Youth Music at The Great Escape 2026

Across three days at The Great Escape 2026, we caught incredible live performances from Youth Music NextGen Fund artists, and hosted a panel of music industry experts on nurturing regional music scenes.

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A woman in front of a pink building and white van, with a pink top on, with her hand in her hair and her eyes closed, looking content
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NextGen Fund Round 13 Recipients

Announcing the recipients of the thirteenth round of the Youth Music NextGen Fund: 43 young creatives bringing their ideas to life with a grant of up to £3,000.

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A young boy with an acoustic guitar over his shoulder stands, smiles and gives a big thumbs up to the camera. He is standing in front of a stage with other people around.
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We’ve raised £1 million for grassroots music. But it's not enough.

We’ve raised £1 million for grassroots youth music through Rescue the Roots, unlocking £2 million in total. But with projects under threat and demand soaring, thousands of young people still risk missing out.

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Catalyser Fund: how we made our decisions

This article sets out how decisions were made for the Catalyser Fund Round 6. 

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Early years practitioners in an active session, standing very close together, many with their hands in the air and smiling.
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Energiser Fund brings early years practitioners together

Early years partners gathered in Corby to share ideas, explore creative practice and reflect together as part of the Energiser Fund’s collaborative learning programme.

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