Expressions of Interest for Year One Have Now Closed

Thank you to all organisations who submitted an Expression of Interest to the Jack Petchey Places & Spaces Fund.

We are currently reviewing applications and will communicate outcomes by 1 August 2026. Organisations that are shortlisted will be invited to progress to Stage Two: Full Application.

The Jack Petchey Places & Spaces Fund is a £2 million investment to help youth organisations and uniformed groups across London and Essex improve the spaces where young people spend their time, creating environments that are welcoming, inspiring and fit for purpose.

Grants of £5,000 – £25,000

For youth organisations and uniformed groups in London and Essex currently running the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme.

£2 million investment available over two years.

Successful projects must start in 2027 and be completed within 12 months.

Two Stage Application process.

The Expression of Interest stage has now closed. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a Full Application during August and September 2026.

What could your funding support?

Grants can be used for a wide range of indoor and outdoor space improvements. Here are some examples to inspire you:

1. Indoor room improvements: Chill-out zones/regulation spaces, workshop room upgrades, new library, sensory rooms.
2. Indoor new fixed equipment: Installation of recording studio, gym, training kitchen for young people.
3. Outdoor space improvement: Garden, playing courts (football, basketball, cricket, tennis, 1Wall).
4. Outdoor new fixed equipment: Playground, benches/tables, sun sails, outdoor gym, bike parking, skateboard ramps.
5. Maintenance and accessibility upgrades: Shower, bathroom, fixing leaking roofs to bring a room back into use, disabled/gender neutral toilets, improved access, chairlift.
6. Storage: Shed, portacabin or storage container.
7. Building efficiency upgrade: Solar panels, boilers, heating, air con, soundproofing, where these upgrades account for most of the budget.

For a list of what cannot be funded, see our FAQs.

Who can apply? 

For Year One of the fund, eligibility was limited to invited organisations meeting specific criteria on the Achievement Award Scheme. Please note that Educational Establishments are not eligible for this fund.

Key dates 

• Expression of Interest applications closed: 6 July 2026
• Outcomes communicated by: 1 August 2026
• Stage Two Full Applications (invitation only): August–September 2026
• Decision-making panels: October 2026
• Funded projects delivered from: January 2027

Current Status

The Expression of Interest stage for Year One of the Places & Spaces Fund has now closed.

Organisations that submitted an Expression of Interest will be contacted by 1 August 2026 with the outcome. Successful organisations will then be invited to complete a Full Application.

Please continue to check this page for future updates about the Places & Spaces Fund and information about future funding rounds.

Further resources