Organisations helping young people build better futures through education, employment, training and sport can qualify for grants of up to £10,000 after Football For Change announced its first round of 2024 funding.

Launched in 2021 by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jamie Carragher and Conor Coady, Football For Change has been backed by the likes of Real Madrid megastar Jude Bellingham as well as Gary Neville, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Peter Crouch and Beth Mead. David Beckham, Lionel Messi, Dua Lipa and others have also helped raise funds.

Football For Change brings together sports stars and business leaders to help NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people find education and employment opportunities, as well as helping others from underprivileged communities achieve their full potential. The organisation also supports young people who may have been affected by crime help turn their lives around.

The social mobility initiative has raised over £1.1 million since its formation and released over £150,000 in grants to organisations and charities across the country in 2023, including the Liverpool FC Foundation, Everton in the Community and Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

In 2024, the Football For Change fund, managed by the Communities Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside, is encouraging young people, charities, organisations and community projects in the North West who support young people to apply for grants.

Funding will primarily focus on projects that provide life-changing opportunities in education, employment and sport, working with young people who have experienced poverty and economic challenges.

Jamie Carragher, co-chair of Football For Change, says: “Football For Change is once again investing in young people who have experienced a difficult start in life.

“Last year we helped more than 20 charitable projects  with grants, and the projects they delivered have been life changing.

“This funding offers organisations the opportunity to hand young people the tools that will enable them to build a better future for themselves and those around them through education, employment, training and sport.

“Football For Change has made a huge difference across the country over the last 12 months and I am excited to see how much this next round of funding helps reach even more people and change even more lives.”

Leicester City star and England defender, Conor Coady, adds: “Football For Change is needed more than ever. This vital funding offers access to life-changing opportunities to young people facing challenges to get on in life.

“I’d encourage everyone to apply, and I can’t wait to see the projects we’ll be funding to help young people reach their potential and build better futures.”

Public relations executive Dan Hughes launched Football For Change with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jamie Carragher and Conor Coady in 2021, and the charitable initiative has been sponsored by Manchester-based Swinton Insurance since its inception.

Applications can be made via the Communities Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside website at https://cfmerseyside.org.uk/funds/football-for-change until 23 February.

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