You’re Only Young Once (YOYO) Fund
The You’re Only Young Once (YOYO) Fund offers grants of up to £10,000 to organisations supporting children, young people, and families affected by drugs and alcohol.
The fund has been designed by the young people from the ‘Be Different to Make a Difference Advisory Group’ as part of the Way Forward for Families Partnership Fund. The young people have shaped the criteria, application process, name, and identity of the fund.
YOYO focuses on supporting projects that help children, young people and families to:
- share experiences
- build connections with others
- have their voices heard
- influence services, systems and decisions that affect their lives
We are particularly interested in work that creates meaningful opportunities for participation and helps shape the design and delivery of services.
There is a total of £50,000 available, which will be distributed in grants of up to £10,000. Organisations must have at least 2 years’ experience of delivering services in Scotland for children, young people and families affected by drugs and alcohol. The grants team expect many applications but will only be able to make a limited number of grants – as few as five grants may be made.
The closing date for this round of applications to the YOYO Fund will be 12pm on Tuesday 1st September.
The Way Forward for Families Partnership Fund is delivered by Corra Foundation and is a partnership between Corra Foundation and Scottish Government, and supported by our Youth Partners – Clued Up Project, and Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs’ Routes Project.
Can I apply?
To be eligible to apply, organisations must:
- Be a Scotland based organisation with at least 2 years’ experience of delivering services for children, young people and families affected by drugs and alcohol, with a strong understanding of participation, safeguarding and whole family approaches.
- Organisations applying must be an incorporated not-for-profit organisation (e.g. Scottish charity/SCIO, company interest company, trust)
- Be delivering work that
- Create spaces where children, young people and families feel heard, valued and able to influence change e. the development of forums or participation processes.
- Support children young people, families and communities to take part in decision-making, planning or advisory groups.
- Bring people together through activities, events or shared experiences that create lasting connections and lead to ongoing involvement, or positive change
- Involve peer research, campaigns or consultations that inform services or policy locally or nationally.
- Engage with marginalised communities and groups that are under-represented in decision making structures such as young people with care experience, LGBTQI+ communities and Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
- Can deliver the proposed project in 12 months from your project start date
What can I apply for?
- Grants up to £10,000
- We understand that every group has different needs and ideas. We encourage you to think about what you need the funding for, this can include various running and/or project costs, including:-
- Staff costs (excluding staff training)
- Participation costs
- Venue hire
- Materials and equipment (excluding fixed equipment)
- Activity costs
- Catering/Food
- Travel/Transport costs
- Training/Accreditation costs (for training delivered to children, young people and families)
Projects should start within 12 months of receiving a grant offer; and should be completed within 12 months of the start date
What we can’t fund
There are some restrictions on what grants can be used for, specifically, grants cannot be used for:
- Capital projects – i.e. building repairs/maintenance/alterations, construction, or fixed equipment.
- Projects that take place in school settings (although schools andafter school clubs can be partners in planning or delivery*.
- Respite care or holidays for individuals/family groups.
- Staff training**.
- Individual grant/award programmes – i.e. we cannot fund projects which plan to use funds to make financial awards/loans/grants to individuals.
- Crisis support – e.g. food vouchers, household energy costs, whitegoods, furniture, etc.
*Work with Schools – The Advisory Group recognise that projects may deliver work in partnership with schools. However, any proposed funded activities should take place outside of school settings. School-based counselling/mentoring/intensive one-to-one support is strictly excluded.
**Staff Training – The Advisory Group recognise the importance of a skilled and trained workforce – however, they have agreed that funds will be focussed on the direct activity and support provided to children, young people and families.
Chat to us before you apply
If you would like to chat to a member of the team about your application, at any stage of the process, please contact yoyo@corra.scot and 0131 444 4020.
Apply now
Stage 1: Read the fund guidance
All guidance is available to download in the purple buttons opposite.
Stage 2: Check Eligibility
An eligibility checker is available to access by clicking here. If you are eligible to apply you will be provided with a link to the online application form.
Stage 3: Complete your application online.
A word version of the form is available to download by clicking the link opposite. You will also be asked to send in a bank statement (no more than 6 months old) and your most recent accounts with your application form.
Applications must be received by Noon/12pm on 1st September 2026. We will be unable to accept applications received after this time.
Stage 4: Confirmation that we’ve received your application form.
When we receive your application, you will receive two emails confirming we’ve received your form. If you do not receive these, please contact us at yoyo@corra.scot
Advice and support is available throughout the application process. Please drop us a message at yoyo@corra.scot
Decision making process
Due diligence and eligibility is completed by a Corra grants advisor. They may be in contact with you to ask some follow-up questions.
Your application is then assessed by the members of the Be Different to Make a Difference Advisory Group
The advisory group meet for group decision-making.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in November 2026 and offered feedback.
When are decisions announced?
We aim to let you know the outcome of your application by November 2026.
Can I get feedback if my application is unsuccessful?
We provide written feedback to all applicants and are happy to discuss this further with you once you’ve received the outcome of your application.
What are the reporting requirements if my application is successful?
You will be asked to report on the progress of your grant 12 months from when you received it, via a brief report or grantholder engagement event. This is intended to be an easy process to tell us about how you spent the money, how this helped your work and the people you support.
You may also be invited to attend or contribute to learning and networking events as part of Corra’s approach to support, engagement and learning.
Previous rounds of funding
For info on other grants made see our 360 Giving page
Announcements on the grants made in previous rounds will be shared here when the start-up process for all grantholders is complete.
Examples of projects previously funded through the YOYO Fund include:-
- Projects that will enable peer research in secure care, higher education, and community-based services.
- A Family Outreach service, including one-to-one sessions, family group activities, and community events.
- Short residential breaks co-designed with families affected by drugs and alcohol.
- A youth-led harm reduction campaign, and establishment of a Student Harm Reduction Working Group.
- Youth programmes for children and young people who are affected by drugs and alcohol, including those focussed on Personal Development, and Community Social Action.