Music charity Youth Music will tomorrow open its new NextGen Fund for young people starting out in the music industry. Recipients will be given up to £2500 to launch a project, idea or business.
"We want to give young people the confidence to make it happen for themselves", says Project Lead Elijah Cushnie. "This generation is building a fairer new industry, taking ownership of their work and imagining roles that don't even exist yet. But they don't all have the financial means to realise their ambitions".
"We want to rebuild an industry where every young person can see themselves, contribute and make a difference", he goes on. "This fund is a big step towards a more sustainable, inclusive and exciting music industry".
Ahead of the launch of the fund - which is backed by TikTok and the People's Postcode Lottery - the charity has also published new research.
The survey of 1000 respondents found that 79% of young people entering the music industry would prefer to set up their own project rather than take up a traditional role within an existing company. Unsurprisingly, the biggest barrier to this, said respondents, is access to finance.
The Youth Music NextGen Fund is open to professionals, artists and entrepreneurs working in music aged 18-25 (and up to 30 years old for those identifying as disabled). Find out more here.