There are significant barriers to realising this ideal, including low youth employment, unaffordable housing, technology-driven change, as well as structural challenges to communities and society at large.

To realise this goal, we are supporting youth-focussed organisations throughout Scotland to better listen to young people, and to respond to what they hear – ready to change how, when, and where they work, and even ready to change what services they deliver.

Our hope is that, through more attentively listening to young people, The Listening Fund partners will not only provide improved services to young people, but also empower them, making them feel valued and amplifying their voice. As a result, young people will be able to influence and lead change themselves, rather than be treated as a problem to be solved.

During the two-year project, The Listening Fund is being evaluated by the Centre for Youth Impact.  Their findings will be shared widely as we encourage the sector to learn from the programme and reflect on how the sector works, whose voices are heard, and where power lies.

The Listening Fund in Scotland is supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, Corra Foundation, William Grant Foundation, Comic Relief and Gannochy Trust, and it is being managed by the Corra Foundation.  The Blagrave Trust is leading on the sister fund in England.