The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) has officially opened applications for its Youth Advisory Board (YAB) 2026, offering young people across the United Kingdom an exceptional opportunity to directly influence policies, funding decisions, research, and programmes aimed at preventing violence affecting children and young people.

If you are passionate about creating safer communities, amplifying youth voices, influencing government decisions, and ensuring young people’s experiences shape national policy, this opportunity provides a meaningful platform to make lasting impact.

Application Deadline: Friday, 10 July 2026

About the Youth Endowment Fund

The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) was established in March 2019 by children’s charity Impetus with a £200 million endowment from the UK Home Office.

Its mission is simple yet ambitious:

Prevent children and young people from becoming involved in violence by identifying what works and ensuring evidence informs policy and practice.

YEF invests in research, funding programmes, evidence generation, and partnerships that improve outcomes for young people across the UK.

A core part of this mission is ensuring young people are not merely consulted but actively involved in decision-making.

This is exactly why the Youth Advisory Board exists.

What is the Youth Advisory Board (YAB)?

The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is a group of young people who work directly with the Youth Endowment Fund to ensure youth perspectives remain central to every aspect of the organization’s work.

Rather than making decisions for young people, YEF works alongside them, allowing members to influence strategy, funding priorities, research, communications, governance, and policy engagement.

The board primarily meets virtually, making participation more accessible while allowing members from different locations to contribute effectively.

What Will Youth Advisory Board Members Do?

Successful applicants will play an active role in shaping the work of one of the UK’s leading organizations focused on youth violence prevention.

Members help YEF in several important ways.

1. Influence Funding Decisions

Members contribute to decisions on how nearly £200 million in funding is invested.

This includes:

• Reviewing programmes
• Interviewing grant applicants
• Supporting funding assessments
• Participating in governance boards
• Working directly with YEF staff

2. Co-Design New Projects

Youth Advisory Board members collaborate with staff to develop:

• New projects
• Communications campaigns
• Publications
• Resources for young people
• Youth-centred initiatives

Their lived experiences help ensure projects genuinely reflect the realities faced by young people.

3. Provide Youth Perspectives

Members serve as critical friends to the organization by:

• Challenging ideas
• Offering honest feedback
• Identifying gaps
• Suggesting improvements
• Ensuring youth voices remain central

4. Engage with Government and Stakeholders

YAB members regularly engage with:

• Government officials
• Researchers
• Education professionals
• Police representatives
• Youth justice organizations
• Health professionals
• Community organizations

They help shape discussions around issues affecting children and young people.

5. Contribute to Research

Members participate in research by:

• Advising research teams
• Providing lived experience
• Reviewing findings
• Helping improve recommendations

Their contributions ensure evidence reflects real experiences.

Why Join the Youth Advisory Board?

Joining YAB provides opportunities far beyond volunteering.

Members gain valuable experience in:

• Leadership
• Public speaking
• Policy development
• Youth advocacy
• Research
• Governance
• Stakeholder engagement
• Team collaboration
• Communications
• National decision-making

It is also an excellent opportunity for young people interested in careers in:

• Public policy
• Government
• International development
• Social work
• Education
• Youth justice
• Research
• Non-profit leadership

Hear from Current Youth Advisory Board Members

Current members joined YAB for many reasons, including:

• Representing underrepresented young people
• Preventing youth violence
• Improving education systems
• Reforming youth justice
• Supporting safer communities
• Influencing national policies
• Ensuring lived experiences inform decision-making

Many members draw on personal experiences of exclusion, community violence, youth work, and advocacy to create meaningful change.

Youth-Led Projects and Initiatives

The Youth Advisory Board contributes to several important initiatives.

These include:

Yap with YAB Podcast

A youth-led podcast where members discuss important issues affecting young people, including:

• Education
• Schools
• Community safety
• Youth violence
• Public policy
• Everyday challenges

Moments that Mattered

An animated mini-series exploring significant moments that shaped young people’s lives and perspectives.

The series highlights lived experiences and encourages conversations around youth development and violence prevention.

Research Contributions

YAB members also contribute to major Youth Endowment Fund publications covering topics such as:

• Children, Violence and Vulnerability
• Youth Violence Statistics
• Racial Disproportionality
• Education
• Youth Justice
• Policing
• Health

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is ideal for young people who:

• Care about improving young people’s lives
• Want to influence policy
• Enjoy working with others
• Believe youth voices should shape decisions
• Are passionate about reducing violence
• Want to gain leadership experience
• Wish to contribute to meaningful national change

Previous experience is less important than genuine commitment and enthusiasm.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Young people understand the realities they face better than anyone else.

The Youth Endowment Fund recognizes that sustainable solutions to youth violence must be informed by those with lived experience.

By joining the Youth Advisory Board, members become active partners in designing evidence-based solutions that influence funding, policy, and practice across the United Kingdom.

Application Deadline

Friday, 10 July 2026

Interested applicants should submit their applications before the deadline.

For additional information, applicants can review the recruitment brochure and application guidance available through the Youth Endowment Fund website.

How to Apply

Applicants can:

• Read the recruitment brochure.
• Review the application guidance.
• Complete the application before Friday, 10 July 2026.
• Contact the Youth Voice team via youthvoice@youthendowmentfund.org.uk for enquiries

Apply Here 

For more information on this opportunity visit here

Discover more global opportunities on OFY, here