HPC Community Fund: Youth Pathways Partnership (UK)

Somerset Community Foundation is inviting voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) partnership groups to submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the HPC Community Fund: Youth Pathways Partnership. The programme supports delivery of youth support services in communities impacted by Hinkley Point C (HPC), offering up to £200,000 per year for 2 years (with a potential extension if additional funding becomes available). The EOI deadline is Wednesday 7 October 2026 at 5pm. Somerset Community Foundation says it analysed the needs of communities most affected by Hinkley Point C development in 2025 (with support from Thrive and the Centre for Thriving Places). The Youth Pathways Partnership is designed to reposition the HPC Community Fund so funding reaches communities most affected by HPC development and supports lasting impact. Rather than individual organisations applying for short-term funding, the programme encourages a joined-up partnership approach to deliver a pathway for young people across the priority area. Partnerships are expected to define which ages are the priority for the work as part of the application stage.

The Youth Pathways Partnership offers:

The grant funding may be used for: The source also states that partnerships should: For shortlisted partnerships invited to the development stage: Not specified in the source beyond examples of how a development grant could be used (such as reviewing governance requirements, identifying skills/training needs, working with young people to define vision and outcomes, and supporting/defining a monitoring model). Somerset Community Foundation is seeking partnerships of VCFSE organisations (voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations) with shared values to support young people. Key eligibility expectations from the source include: Important note: The source explains partnerships will be assessed after submission of an EOI and shortlisted using criteria. However, the specific scoring/criteria list is not included in the supplied text (“Please note: we’ll use the scoring system as part of our assessment with score 4 being the highest”). Applicants should review the official guidance for the detailed criteria. The Youth Pathways Partnership is intended to deliver support to young people in areas impacted by Hinkley Point C. In the source, the partnership approach is framed around a pathway that addresses: The source notes this list should be treated as a starting point and not limiting. As part of the application stage, partnerships should define the priority ages for the work. This opportunity is aimed at strengthening youth support in communities experiencing the impacts of Hinkley Point C. Somerset Community Foundation explains that, while young people near HPC already have access to education, training and skills opportunities (including over 1,700 apprenticeships mostly in the Southwest through HPC), young people identified as a consistent priority still face barriers that affect take-up and ongoing support. The partnership approach is designed to coordinate services so young people can access mentoring, practical support such as transport and pathways into training or employment, and integrated mental health support through youth work.

The EOI should outline:

At EOI stage, the source says you do not need a full breakdown of the partnership, but you should provide an outline of: The source does not include the specific online submission link in the supplied text. Applicants should use the official “Express your interest” function on the Somerset Community Foundation page for this opportunity. The source states that after EOI submission, Somerset Community Foundation will get in touch to meet with partnership organisations as part of assessment with informal interviews. The source states up to 3 proposed partnerships may be shortlisted for the development stage and may receive a grant of up to £10,000 to develop the approach. Shortlisted partnerships are required to submit their full proposal in January 2027. Final decisions are due in February 2027 (as stated in the source).

For questions, email: [contact details removed] (name and email provided in the source).

What is the HPC Community Fund: Youth Pathways Partnership?

It is a Somerset Community Foundation funding opportunity that supports partnerships delivering youth support services for young people in communities impacted by Hinkley Point C. How much funding is available? The source states the programme offers up to £200,000 per year for 2 years, with the possibility of extending if additional funding becomes available. Who can apply? VCFSE organisations are expected to apply as partnerships working together to support young people in areas impacted by HPC, including one organisation acting as the accountable body. Which areas are prioritised for this partnership? Key priority areas named in the source are Bridgwater, Burnham and Highbridge, and the Dowsborough LCN area. What is the deadline for the expression of interest? The deadline to submit partnership expressions of interest is Wednesday 7 October 2026 at 5pm. What happens after submitting an EOI? The source says EOIs will be shortlisted in late October 2026, with shortlisted applicants required to submit full proposals in January 2027. Final decisions are made in February 2027. Is there a development stage before the full proposal? Yes. The source describes a development stage for up to 3 shortlisted partnerships, with a grant of up to £10,000 offered to support development of the partnership approach. If you are a VCFSE organisation considering partnering for the Youth Pathways Partnership, review the official Somerset Community Foundation guidance for this opportunity—especially the detailed EOI requirements and assessment criteria—then prepare an EOI that clearly describes the accountable body, delivery areas, how you will engage young people, and how your partnership plan a