The Building Brighter Futures Fund, created to champion the aspirations of young people across the UK, has officially reopened for 2026 applications. Many young individuals possess remarkable potential but lack the networks, support, and opportunities needed to thrive. The Fund was established to address these gaps and ensure that overlooked young people are empowered to build brighter, fairer futures. Applications are now open for schools, charities, and community organisations seeking financial support to deliver programmes that uplift and inspire young people. In 2025, the Fund invested more than £210,000 into communities located near EMR sites across the country, underscoring EMR’s ongoing commitment to social impact and community partnership. For the 2026 round, the Fund is inviting applications from organisations working with young people aged 11–19, or up to 25 for those with additional needs. This year’s programme will focus on five key regions across the UK: Scotland, Cheshire, Yorkshire, London, and the West Midlands. Funding will be awarded to initiatives that align with one or more of the Fund’s three central pillars: 1. Relationships Projects that help young people build strong, positive connections will be prioritised. This includes initiatives that strengthen communication skills, broaden support networks, encourage collaboration, and foster understanding and respect among diverse communities. 2. Health and Wellbeing The Fund aims to support programmes that enhance both the emotional and physical wellbeing of young people. Eligible initiatives may include mental health support, physical activity, confidence-building programmes, and projects that help young people make healthy life choices. 3. Career and Education This pillar supports projects that help young people prepare for their futures. Initiatives may focus on developing essential employability and life skills, providing educational support, or offering pathways into further training and meaningful work opportunities. The Building Brighter Futures Fund is delivered in partnership with the Cheshire Community Foundation and the wider UK Community Foundations network. Its mission reflects EMR’s core belief that collaborative action can unlock the full potential of the next generation. Since its inception, the Fund has supported a wide range of impactful projects across the UK. Examples of Previous Recipients Include: Bootle Bucks Inclusion FC – Providing inclusive sports opportunities for children with additional needs, helping them build confidence, resilience, and teamwork skills. Escapeline – Supporting vulnerable young people in Somerset by offering protection and prevention services aimed at reducing the risks associated with county lines exploitation. Allsorts Gloucestershire – Delivering inclusive youth sessions, adaptive sports programmes, and specialist support for young people with a range of needs. These diverse projects demonstrate the Fund’s broad reach and its ability to support initiatives that make a tangible difference in the lives of young people. Commenting on the launch of the 2026 Fund, Ian Sheppard, Managing Director at EMR, emphasized the company’s commitment to empowering young people across the UK. He stated: “At EMR, we believe every young person deserves the chance to create a better, fairer life for themselves. The Building Brighter Futures Fund helps ensure that those opportunities are available in communities across the UK. Whether it’s a sports club helping children discover confidence and friendship, or a local charity giving a young person the tools and training they need to start a career, we are constantly inspired by the creativity and dedication of the organisations we support. We know there is incredible potential in young people across the UK. By working together, we can help them fulfil it. We’re excited to see the projects that come forward for 2026.” Applications are open now and will close on 11 January 2026. Organisations seeking funding can access full details, eligibility criteria, and application guidance here For further information about EMR and its community impact initiatives, visit: www.uk.emrgroup.com. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.