On Saturday 15th June, funding partners, projects and young people came together to celebrate the launch of The Listening Fund (TLF) Scotland.
TLF Scotland is a partnership between Comic Relief, Gannochy Trust, The National Lottery Community Fund, William Grant Foundation and Corra Foundation. The fund aims to put children and young people in the driving seat of shaping services, by supporting charities to create a culture of listening.
“At the National Lottery Community Fund we listen, collaborate and fund so that great things happen. We’re delighted to be one of the main supporters of The Listening Fund which will create new and exciting ways to help young people in Scotland amplify their voice. Each of the twelve organisations selected to take part are already working with young people in creative and interesting ways and I look forward to following their progress over the lifetime of the fund.” National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair Maureen McGinn
Learning by listening is the thread that will run through TLF Scotland activity. As part of funding partners commitment to ‘practice what they preach’, conversations with young people helped to inform the development phase of TLF, shaping the final criteria and application process.
“It is fantastic for Corra to be part of this funding collaborative in Scotland that recognises young people are experts in their own lives and by listening to their experiences and ideas both the funders and projects can help to enable positive change” Carolyn Sawers, Deputy Chief Executive, Corra Foundation
The 12 successful projects received a share of circa £342,000 to further embed the voices and values of children and young people in to their practice.
The launch event brought the funded projects and the young people they support together to contribute ideas on how we can all listen better. The event was also an opportunity to learn from emerging insights from TLF in England which began funding 22 projects in 2018. This sister fund shares the same aim of amplifying the voices of young people through enhanced listening and participation.
For more information about the 12 projects supported through TLF Scotland as well as view a collection of resources exploring young people led change, power and voice, click here.
