The City of London Corporation’s charity, the City Bridge Trust, has approved substantial extra funding to support work with hard-to-reach young people, by awarding £1 million each year over the next decade to youth charity The Prince’s Trust. This grant will complement existing funding to the organisation and will finance projects intended to benefit the most socially-deprived communities in the capital - especially young people not in education, employment or training (NEETS). 

The £10 million grant to the youth charity will be spread across ten years. The grant will focus on helping young people to develop the skills and confidence needed to overcome barriers, re-engage with education and gain employment. It will help to fund a range of Prince’s Trust courses – including the Fairbridge programme, an individually tailored personal development course for vulnerable young people. 

Mark Boleat, Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation said: “The issue of NEETS remains a cause for concern in the capital, with higher than average rates of unemployment among young adults. This issue not only impacts social mobility and cohesion but is leading to a skills gap in the workforce. The partnership between City Bridge Trust and The Prince’s Trust reinforces the Corporation’s on-going commitment to reducing youth unemployment and ensuring that young Londoners have the skills and opportunities to succeed in today’s fast-paced economy.”