Youth Music has reached a major milestone after investing £1 million directly into young creatives facing barriers to building careers in the music industry.
The milestone comes at a challenging time for young people entering the workforce. The latest ONS figures show almost one million 16-24-year-olds in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEETs), equivalent to 13% of the age group.
Since launching in 2021, the Youth Music NextGen Fund has backed young creatives aged 18-25, and up to 30 for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent applicants, uniquely giving them the freedom to invest in what will make the greatest difference to their development, from equipment, training and studio time to travel, marketing and live events.
A panel of industry experts with lived experience choose which applicants will receive funding each time, with past examples including Kizzi from BBC Asian Network, Maia Beth formerly at BBC Radio 1, Kennedy Taylor from Capital Xtra, and lockdown T, musician and creator.
The fund is also helping to spread opportunity beyond the capital. While over 30% of UK creative industry jobs* are concentrated in London (almost twice the proportion of jobs across the wider UK economy) 79% of NextGen funding has been awarded to young people outside London, attempting to close the opportunities gap.
To date, the fund has helped create 882 tracks, 147 EPs and albums, 176 music videos and 254 events. More than half (54%) of funded creatives progressed into employment opportunities as a result, while 96% said the fund helped them make things happen on their own terms and improved their confidence.
Previous NextGen Fund recipient, JayaHadADream has since won Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition, a DJ Mag Award and two Youth Music Awards. Other alumni include MOBO Award-winning duo ALT BLK ERA; BINA., who passed 10 million streams and toured with Little Simz; and StudioWyzz, who signed with Universal Music Publishing UK.
NextGen alumnus, JayaHadADream, credits Youth Music with helping artists take their next step:
“The Youth Music NextGen Fund was the first pot of funding I received ever, it literally taught me how to write a funding application, how to approach releasing and marketing my first EP ‘Redemption Songs’. The release and marketing was a real success, which led me to have a few viral moments, gained 10,000s of new followers in that time and helped me begin to take ownership of my space and platform in music.
The constant opportunities that came off the back of the Youth Music NextGen Fund within Youth Music, but also outside of it, continue to this day (years later) to elevate my career and develop my confidence and skill set as an artist. My first writing camp was with Youth Music. My first award show performance was at the Youth Music Awards. My first time having to prepare for an award nominations. Even Youth Music inviting me to All Points East in 2024 to film a ‘day in the life’ and receive gifting from Levi’s helped me learn about brand collaborations and the influencer content creation side of music.
All of this helped continue to build my portfolio and break me through as an artist. I’ve made countless friends because of Youth Music.”
But the fund is not only about finding the next breakthrough performer. One in five applications in 2025 sought support for roles across the wider music ecosystem, including production, songwriting, promotion, management, journalism, video, technology and label ownership.
Driving awareness of these pathways into the industry is essential, as Youth Music’s SONG Report research found that fewer than half of 18-25-year-olds know which music industry careers are available beyond performing, despite 28% seeing themselves working in the sector. Young people from working class backgrounds are also far less likely to know someone who can help them progress.
Youth Music interim co-CEO, Carol Reid, said: “People say talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. At Youth Music, we’d go further: demand is everywhere, but resources are not. We see the talent that exists across the country, but too many young people still face barriers to opportunity.
The Youth Music NextGen Fund was an industry first – trusting early stage young creatives with thousands of pounds to make their ideas happen. The risk has certainly paid off, and the statistics speak for themselves. We’ve seen hundreds of young people find their purpose, grow confidence and carve out their career.
Reaching £1million directly invested into young people is a major moment to celebrate, but demand remains huge. That’s why we’re not stopping here. It’s our mission to provide opportunity to every young person, whatever their income, background or postcode.”
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, who helped make the fund possible, said: “It is fantastic that Postcode Lottery players are helping young creatives turn their passion for music into thriving careers through the Youth Music NextGen Fund. By investing in future talent, the Fund is not only helping young people find employment but is strengthening the music industry as a whole through introducing greater diversity, creativity and innovation.”
Youth Music is a national charity funded thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England, players of the Postcode Lottery and support from partners, fundraisers and donors.
