Audible’s Future Stories Fund open to projects using language and storytelling to amplify the voices of young people

The Future Stories Fund

We believe in the power of language and storytelling. That’s why we’re excited to be collaborating with Audible and Think Beyond on the Future Stories Fund. 

The fund aims to support local projects that are harnessing language and storytelling to empower historically marginalised 16-25 year olds. The fund is offering grants of up to £15,000 (alongside capacity building, consultancy and fiscal hosting support) to projects across the UK, starting in the North West of England.

Organisations of all shapes and sizes are encouraged to apply, whether you are a charity, CIC, network or grassroots group. You do not need to be incorporated. 

Am I eligible?

To be eligible, your project needs to…

• Engage local 16-25 year olds using some element of language and expression to improve literacy levels and/or broaden career aspirations.
• Be new in some way – either entirely new, or have at least one new element, e.g. new location, target audience or approach.
• Either: 
  • Engage youth located in the top 20% index of multiple deprivation (IMD Decile must be 1 or 2) 
  • Engage youth from historically marginalised communities.
• Use the funds for a project starting within 6 months of receiving the grant, to be delivered within 12 months of receiving the grant.
  
  

If you’re unsure whether you are eligible, you can send a short brief of your project either via email (fsf@canyouthinkbeyond.com) or WhatsApp (+447765951983). You can also book in a drop-in session here.

How to apply 

The first region to be invited to apply is the North West of England, which includes Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Halton, Lancashire, Merseyside and Warrington.

Applications from projects in these areas are now open. The deadline to apply is Sunday 17th March.

When you apply, you’ll need to have the following at the ready: 

• Organisational details
• Details of the project and cost breakdown
• Constitution or governing documents, and safeguarding and EDI policies (if you have them) 
• An organisational bank statement that shows experience of handling money (if you have one) 

Applications can be submitted via this online form, via email (fsf@canyouthinkbeyond.com) or via WhatsApp (+447765951983). You can also use video or audio content to support your application, which can be submitted via email or WhatsApp. 

For further information and FAQs see here.