Forty projects in Scotland including some in Edinburgh will share in more than £3 million awarded today.

Dormant assets from Young Start will be delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund to help 8 to 24 year olds build confidence and thrive.

A full list of all projects in the country set to benefit can be found here.

In Edinburgh Passion4Fusion receives £65,529 to develop and expand its work in the field of sport, with a volunteering and peer mentoring programme to support at least 180 children and young people in Edinburgh and West Lothian, helping them to build their confidence and leadership skills.  

Vinomaandero Tjihumino, 22, joined the charity as a young person before becoming a volunteer coach.  

He said: “When I first came to Edinburgh, I had no friends and felt isolated as an immigrant. Joining Passion4Fusion changed everything, I made so many friends, grew in confidence, and later became a volunteer. The organisation supported me through my coaching licence, and now I’m studying a sports programme at university! I’m so proud that I can give back to my community and help others overcome the same challenges I once faced.” 

 
Isaac Akhadelor, Project Coordinator, Passion4Fusion said: “This funding will be transformational for our sports programme. It’s empowering us to reach more young people across Edinburgh and West Lothian, using sport as a tool for inclusion, confidence-building, and community connections.” 

The monies were released to The National Lottery Community Fund from dormant banks and building society accounts. These are bank accounts untouched by their owners for at least 15 years.

Fruitmarket

The Fruitmarket Gallery, on Market Street will use its £57,286 grant to launch and run its Youth ART Connects project, which aims to engage young people aged 16 to 25 who are blind and or visually impaired, from ethnic minority groups, and or identify as LGBTQIA+, to create three bodies of work to be exhibited at the gallery. 
 
The Youth ART Connects project will run over two years supporting young people through the creative process and providing career and access opportunities within the arts and culture sector.  
 
Tracy Morgan, Community Engagement Manager, The Fruitmarket Gallery said: “Delivered by Fruitmarket in partnership with leading artists and youth organisations across Scotland, this programme aims to reshape how galleries engage with young people – creating lasting change by amplifying the voices and visions of those who deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated.”  

Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said:   
 
“Organisations such as Passion4Fusion and The Fruitmarket Gallery empower young people to play an active leadership role in their local and wider community. Equipping them with the skills, network and confidence they need to unlock their full potential.  
 
“We’re incredibly grateful to support them on this journey through this latest round of Young Start funding, that will improve the lives of young people across Scotland, through 40 inspiring projects.” 

Young Start helps young people aged eight to 24 become more confident and play an active part in realising their potential. Funding of up to £100,000 is available for youth led projects. Groups can apply by emailing [email protected] or calling 0300 123 7110.         

Edinburgh groups which will benefit from this funding include:

Children in Scotland £62,250 This group will use funding to run the two year ‘My Rights, My Say. Building Bridges’ project, led by
young advisors aged 12-15 year old with additional support needs (ASN), aims to empower and
connect children and young people with ASN across Scotland while bridging the gap with education
professionals. Granton Youth Ltd £53,481 This group will use the funding to support up to 60 young people aged 14-25, in Granton, Edinburgh
across two years. The young people will be supported to volunteer, peer mentor and work toward
accreditation with recognised awards. Lothian Autistic Society £99,518 This group will provide wrap around support and mentoring for 45 young people with autism and
other developmental disabilities, aged 12-18 years old in Edinburgh and the surrounding area, over
three years. Multi-Cultural Family Base £65,785 This group will use two years funding to deliver and expand their Young Ambassadors programme, for
60 young people aged 12-15.
Passion4Fusion City of Edinburgh £65,529 This group will use funding to develop and expand their sports outreach, volunteering and peer
mentoring programme for up to 200 young people from ethnically minoritised communities, aged
eight-24 years. The Fruitmarket Gallery £57,286 This group will use their funding to engage with young people from three underrepresented groups
(blind and visually impaired, ethnically minoritised communities, and LGBTQIA+ young people), over
two years, in Edinburgh within the arts sector to create three bodies of work to be exhibited at the
Fruitmarket Gallery. Think Circus SCIO £49,415 This group will use the funding to support up to 65 girls from primary six to first year in high school in
Edinburgh, over two years.

Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.

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