Youth Music has reached a £1 million milestone investment into young creatives in the UK who are facing barriers to entry into the music industry.
Since its launch in 2021, the Youth Music NextGen Fund has backed young creatives aged 18-25, and up to 30 for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent applicants, by financially supporting them in whichever career sector they wish to pursue.
The milestone arrives at a challenging time for young people who are entering the workforce. The latest ONS figures show that 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.
A panel of industry experts with lived experience choose which applicants will receive funding each time. Previous experts including Kizzi from BBC Asian Network, Maia Beth formerly of BBC Radio 1, Kennedy Taylor from Capital Xtra, and musician and creator Lockdown T.
The fund is also helping to spread opportunity beyond London. According to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s 2025 economic estimates, more than 30% of UK creative industry jobs are concentrated in the capital, which is almost twice the proportion of jobs across the wider UK economy. Up to 79% of NextGen funding has now been awarded to young people outside London.
We’ve seen hundreds of young people find their purpose, grow confidence and carve out their career
Carol Reid
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.
One in five applications in 2025 were outside of roles within music performance, including in production, songwriting, promotion, management, journalism, video, technology and label ownership.
Carol Reid, Youth Music interim co-CEO, said: “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 £1 million 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.”
The constant opportunities that came off the back of the Youth Music NextGen Fund, but also outside of it, continue to this day
JayaHadADream
NextGen alumnus JayaHadADream, who has gone on to win Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition, a DJ Mag Award and two Youth Music Awards, said: “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 tens of thousands 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."
Youth Music, a previous charity partner for the Music Week Awards, is funded thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England, players of the Postcode Lottery, and support from partners, fundraisers and donors.
Laura Chow, head of charities, People’s Postcode Lottery, added: “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.”
