© 2024 All rights reserved
The Listening Fund
The Listening Fund was an England-wide initiative which ran from 2018 – 2024.
Making the youth sector more accountable
Working with young people, funders and delivery organisations, the Fund’s ambition was to make the youth sector more accountable to those it serves. It worked to do this through distributing grants to nearly 40 organisations, supporting the development of their listening practices, capacity and infrastructure while sharing what was learned with the wider sector. It also worked to encourage funders to reflect on their own listening practices and cultures.
The Listening Fund closed in December 2024.
While there is growing interest in and funding for important work which celebrates and promotes the ideas, needs and voices of young people, there is not enough resource available to support organisations to respond in a way which is safe, equitable and strategic.
We have therefore committed to making our learning resources available until at least 2026...
…in the hope that the following reports, practice papers, toolkits, blogs and podcasts will continue to help those interested in thinking about who they listen to; why they listen; and how they’re going to build listening cultures, capacity and skills.
What are you looking for?
Sharing Power with Young People
Collective Discovery
Listening Fund Young Advisors’ Learning Journey
Collective Discovery
Sister System Learning Journey in Listening
Based on conversations between Jenny Ross of Collective Discovery and members of the Sister System team.
Collective Discovery
Sharing power with young people equitably and inclusively
Collective Discovery
Helping Young People into Leadership Roles
A quick guide for helping young people access leadership roles.
Collective Discovery
Spark Inside's learning journey in listening
Insight into how Spark Inside have deepened their listening over the past five years
Spark Inside and Collective Discovery
KRAN's learning journey in listening
Insight into how KRAN have deepened their listening over the past five years
KRAN and Collective Discovery
Carefree Cornwall's learning journey in listening
Insight into how Carefree Cornwall have deepened their listening over the past five years
Collective Discovery
The Foyer Federation's learning journey in listening
Insight into how The Foyer Federation have deepened their listening over the past five years
Collective Discovery
The Mix's learning journey in listening
Insight into how The Mix have deepened their listening over the past five years
Collective Discovery
Sharing Power: A Guide to Facilitation
A step-by-step guide to six exercises which will help your organisation explore how to share power with young people
Collective Discovery
Including Young People in Recruitment
A TLF Quick Guide to including young people in the recruitment of staff, trustees and other roles.
Collective Discovery
Creating Youth Structures In Organisations
A TLF Quick Guide to creating impactful youth boards, councils and other youth structures within organisations.
Collective Discovery
Creating Youth Leadership or Ambassador Roles
A TLF Quick Guide to creating effective youth leadership or ambassador roles within organisations.
Collective Discovery
Young People in Learning and Evaluation
A TLF Practice Paper looking at why, when and how organisations are involving young people in evaluative work.
Collective Discovery
Navigating Paying Young People
A TLF Practice Paper looking at why, when and how organisations are paying young people.
Collective Discovery
Sharing Power with Young People
A TLF Practice Paper looking at how organisations are sharing power and decisions with young people.
Collective Discovery
Do I Hear You?
Exploring the Listening Culture of Funders in the UK
Nusrat Faizullah
Who has Gained?
Moving from Extractive to Equitable Listening
Nusrat Faizullah | Farzana Khan
Solidarity Health Check
A framework to check the standard of your current listening practice with young people
The Listening Fund | Colin Falconer (Inspire Chilli)
Strength in Solidarity: Executive Summary
How Listening Practices Helped Youth Organisations Respond to the Covid-19 Crisis
The Listening Fund | Colin Falconer (Inspire Chilli)
How Funders Can Support the Listening Work of Organisations
Recommendations to funders from young people and charity partners
Strength in Solidarity
How Listening Practices Helped Youth Organisations Respond to the Covid-19 Crisis
Colin Falconer (InspireChilli)
Learning Sets: A collaborative approach with The Listening Fund and Real Insight
Reflections from Real Insight's Learning Sets
The Listening Fund | Real Insight
Self-Assessment Tool for Listening Fund Partners
Centre for Youth Impact
The Listening Fund Final Learning Report
The Centre for Youth Impact
Centre for Youth Impact's Case Studies from the Listening Fund
Sarah Williams | Dr Jo Hickman Dunne
The Listening Fund Systematic Feedback Questions
Centre for Youth
The Listening Fund and Covid-19
The Listening Fund
Shift Podcast | Episode 11
athways and progression for young leaders
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 10
Which young people are we involving?
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 9
Young people leading organisations
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 8
Sharing power changes organisations
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 7
Young people as grantmakers
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 6
Young people as trustees
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 5
Involving young people through creating structures
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 4
Involving young people through creating roles
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 3
Involving young people in learning and evaluation
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 2
Involving young people in designing services
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 1
Series intro: Why share power with young people?
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Young Trustees Guide
Developing the next generation of charity leaders
Charities Aid Foundation
Creating an 'Architecture of Listening' in Organisations
The basis of engagement, trust, healthy democracy, social equity, and business sustainability.
Jim Macnamara
User Voice
Putting people at the heart of impact practice
Shona Curvers | Cecilie Hestbaek and Tris Lumley (NPC) | David Bonbright (Keystone Accountability)
Voice as Value
A Powerful Tool for Transformational Change
Fixers
Power and Making Change Happen
A Practical Guide for Facilitating Social Change
Raji Hunjan | Jethro Pettit
A Short Introduction to Asset-Based Approaches
Colin Falconer
The Center for Effective Philanthropy
The Value of Lived Experience in Social Change
the Need for Leadership and Organisational Development in the Social Sector
Baljeet Sandhu
Measuring Changes in Accountability
Keystone Accountability | Civicus | Accountable
Working Inclusively with Young women
Young Women’s Trust
Listening Fund Young Advisors’ Learning Journey
Collective Discovery
Sharing power with young people equitably and inclusively
Collective Discovery
Helping Young People into Leadership Roles
A quick guide for helping young people access leadership roles.
Collective Discovery
Shift Podcast | Episode 11
athways and progression for young leaders
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 10
Which young people are we involving?
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 6
Young people as trustees
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 5
Involving young people through creating structures
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 4
Involving young people through creating roles
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 3
Involving young people in learning and evaluation
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 2
Involving young people in designing services
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 1
Series intro: Why share power with young people?
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Sharing Power: A Guide to Facilitation
A step-by-step guide to six exercises which will help your organisation explore how to share power with young people
Collective Discovery
Including Young People in Recruitment
A TLF Quick Guide to including young people in the recruitment of staff, trustees and other roles.
Collective Discovery
Creating Youth Structures In Organisations
A TLF Quick Guide to creating impactful youth boards, councils and other youth structures within organisations.
Collective Discovery
Creating Youth Leadership or Ambassador Roles
A TLF Quick Guide to creating effective youth leadership or ambassador roles within organisations.
Collective Discovery
Young People in Learning and Evaluation
A TLF Practice Paper looking at why, when and how organisations are involving young people in evaluative work.
Collective Discovery
Navigating Paying Young People
A TLF Practice Paper looking at why, when and how organisations are paying young people.
Collective Discovery
Sharing Power with Young People
A TLF Practice Paper looking at how organisations are sharing power and decisions with young people.
Collective Discovery
Solidarity Health Check
A framework to check the standard of your current listening practice with young people
The Listening Fund | Colin Falconer (Inspire Chilli)
Self-Assessment Tool for Listening Fund Partners
Centre for Youth Impact
Listening Fund Young Advisors’ Learning Journey
Collective Discovery
Shift Podcast | Episode 10
Which young people are we involving?
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 9
Young people leading organisations
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 8
Sharing power changes organisations
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 7
Young people as grantmakers
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 6
Young people as trustees
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Creating Youth Structures In Organisations
A TLF Quick Guide to creating impactful youth boards, councils and other youth structures within organisations.
Collective Discovery
Young People in Learning and Evaluation
A TLF Practice Paper looking at why, when and how organisations are involving young people in evaluative work.
Collective Discovery
Navigating Paying Young People
A TLF Practice Paper looking at why, when and how organisations are paying young people.
Collective Discovery
Sharing power with young people equitably and inclusively
Collective Discovery
Helping Young People into Leadership Roles
A quick guide for helping young people access leadership roles.
Collective Discovery
Shift Podcast | Episode 8
Sharing power changes organisations
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 6
Young people as trustees
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Sharing Power: A Guide to Facilitation
A step-by-step guide to six exercises which will help your organisation explore how to share power with young people
Collective Discovery
Creating Youth Structures In Organisations
A TLF Quick Guide to creating impactful youth boards, councils and other youth structures within organisations.
Collective Discovery
Sharing Power with Young People
A TLF Practice Paper looking at how organisations are sharing power and decisions with young people.
Collective Discovery
Centre for Youth Impact's Case Studies from the Listening Fund
Sarah Williams | Dr Jo Hickman Dunne
Shift Podcast | Episode 3
Involving young people in learning and evaluation
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Young People in Learning and Evaluation
A TLF Practice Paper looking at why, when and how organisations are involving young people in evaluative work.
Collective Discovery
Sister System Learning Journey in Listening
Based on conversations between Jenny Ross of Collective Discovery and members of the Sister System team.
Collective Discovery
Shift Podcast | Episode 9
Young people leading organisations
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 8
Sharing power changes organisations
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 7
Young people as grantmakers
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 6
Young people as trustees
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 5
Involving young people through creating structures
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 4
Involving young people through creating roles
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 3
Involving young people in learning and evaluation
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 2
Involving young people in designing services
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Spark Inside's learning journey in listening
Insight into how Spark Inside have deepened their listening over the past five years
Spark Inside and Collective Discovery
KRAN's learning journey in listening
Insight into how KRAN have deepened their listening over the past five years
KRAN and Collective Discovery
Carefree Cornwall's learning journey in listening
Insight into how Carefree Cornwall have deepened their listening over the past five years
Collective Discovery
The Foyer Federation's learning journey in listening
Insight into how The Foyer Federation have deepened their listening over the past five years
Collective Discovery
The Mix's learning journey in listening
Insight into how The Mix have deepened their listening over the past five years
Collective Discovery
Strength in Solidarity
How Listening Practices Helped Youth Organisations Respond to the Covid-19 Crisis
Colin Falconer (InspireChilli)
Learning Sets: A collaborative approach with The Listening Fund and Real Insight
Reflections from Real Insight's Learning Sets
The Listening Fund | Real Insight
The Listening Fund Final Learning Report
The Centre for Youth Impact
Centre for Youth Impact's Case Studies from the Listening Fund
Sarah Williams | Dr Jo Hickman Dunne
Shift Podcast | Episode 11
athways and progression for young leaders
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 8
Sharing power changes organisations
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 7
Young people as grantmakers
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 6
Young people as trustees
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 5
Involving young people through creating structures
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 4
Involving young people through creating roles
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 3
Involving young people in learning and evaluation
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Shift Podcast | Episode 2
Involving young people in designing services
Co-hosts Mercy Shibemba and Jenny Ross
Spark Inside's learning journey in listening
Insight into how Spark Inside have deepened their listening over the past five years
Spark Inside and Collective Discovery
KRAN's learning journey in listening
Insight into how KRAN have deepened their listening over the past five years
KRAN and Collective Discovery
Carefree Cornwall's learning journey in listening
Insight into how Carefree Cornwall have deepened their listening over the past five years
Collective Discovery
The Foyer Federation's learning journey in listening
Insight into how The Foyer Federation have deepened their listening over the past five years
Collective Discovery
The Mix's learning journey in listening
Insight into how The Mix have deepened their listening over the past five years
Collective Discovery
Do I Hear You?
Exploring the Listening Culture of Funders in the UK
Nusrat Faizullah
Who has Gained?
Moving from Extractive to Equitable Listening
Nusrat Faizullah | Farzana Khan
The Listening Fund Final Learning Report
The Centre for Youth Impact
Centre for Youth Impact's Case Studies from the Listening Fund
Sarah Williams | Dr Jo Hickman Dunne
Our Partners
The Listening Fund was supported by advisers, delivery organisations, learning partners and funding partners.
our advisors
10 advisers sat at the heart of the Fund’s second phase. Involving young people via these roles helped the Fund live its values, and it also brought invaluable challenge and insight into how to improve accountability. The advisers designed their own grant-making strategy for a discreet pot of funding and were be involved in all aspects of the Fund.
meet antonia
Antonia is reading Human Social & Political Sciences at the University of Cambridge from October 2021. She believes this would have been impossible without the help of university access organisations such as Leading Routes, IntoUniversity, Zero Gravity, Target Oxbridge, & Project Access. She participated on the Advocacy Academy Social Justice 2019-20 Fellowship. This led to her co-founding ‘Fill In The Blanks’ to mandate the teaching of colonialism on the national curriculum. She is keen to support initiatives that have transformative potential which put the individuals they are trying to serve at the forefront.
meet Jaiden
Jaiden Corfield is an award-winning activist, campaigner and change leader from North Manchester. Jaiden has worked with multiple organisations on trying to create more spaces for them to lead alongside young people and this is something that attracted him to The Listening Fund. He was attracted by the Fund’s clear commitment to be built by young people for young people and after his work co-designing Rekindle school and co-leading at Ashoka he realises the importance of youth leadership and is excited to be a valued member of the Advisory panel.
meet Lauren
Lauren has volunteered with education charities based in Nottingham which support children and young people and has previously worked in various social media roles. She is currently Fundraising & Communications Officer for Birmingham Settlement, a charity helping people facing socioeconomic disadvantage. Lauren is excited to be working with The Listening Fund, their values align with hers as she is passionate about challenging power dynamics that exist within philanthropy and supporting young people’s experience to be heard and valued.
meet LIddy
Liddy is 23 and lives in Newcastle. She is passionate about youth participation and has been involved in national youth voice projects with Girlguiding and the Methodist Church. She has also worked and volunteered with young people in a variety of settings and countries. She is very excited to be working with The Listening Fund and is looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding of charity funding in this role.
meet Natasha
Natasha has been working in the youth sector as a fundraiser for the last 3 years and has recently joined the board of Trustees at The British Youth Council. She is passionate about social change and strongly advocates for more to be done to move young people into positions of power and influence. Natasha believes being an Advisory panel member at The Listening Fund is the perfect opportunity for her to harness her existing skills and experience, to help philanthropy better respond to the needs of young people.
meet Neha
Neha recently completed a geography degree and is now working as an environmental data analyst at Thames Water. Her interest in working for The Listening Fund stems from her passion and experience in youth volunteering projects, from environmental conservation projects to creative arts festivals.
meet Nicole
Nicole is a musician from the North of England and enjoys playing multiple instruments, as well as writing and producing her own music. She also performs fire dancing, plays table tennis and loves to watch ice hockey. Nicole applied for this role as she wants to actively make a difference to local communities and give young people the best opportunities possible in order to prepare them for the future.
meet Samuel
Samuel is a student at King’s College London. He manages a small production collective led and for young people called ‘Creation Foundation’. He is also working on an anthology of stories of young people who have had challenges accessing higher education due to the UK’s exploitative immigration policies. The anthology will be prefaced with policy suggestions. He was attracted to The Listening Fund because of its desire to try new radical ideas and share its findings with the rest of the sector. He says he shares the same zeal for impact as The Listening Fund.
meet Sophie
Sophie is a history student and disability activist from Norwich, who will be heading to university in York. She is passionate about raising awareness for disabilities and chronic illnesses, particularly her own, Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, and writes a blog on the subject. Sophie applied for The Listening Fund Advisory Panel as she wanted to develop skills she had learned during her time as a member of her local Youth Advisery Board. Outside of this, she reads a lot of books and volunteers for charities.
meet Thomas
Tom currently studies Natural Sciences at Durham University whilst also working with the UK Youth Climate Coalition where he campaigns for climate justice and works to make our leaders more accountable to young people. He has previously worked on multiple campaigns to empower and inspire his generation and is passionate about creating meaningful societal changes which are necessary in order for young people to thrive. This is what has led Tom to The Listening Fund which he believes is the perfect opportunity to do just that.
Collective Discovery was the Learning Partner for the Listening Fund. As part of this role, Collective Discovery ran a series of events and supported Listening Fund partners, funders and young advisors to strengthen their individual and collective learning and impact.
