The Theirworld Small Grants Programme 2026 is now open, offering £1,000 to £10,000 in grant funding to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations working to improve education, health, and life opportunities for children and young people.
This programme supports community-led, grassroots initiatives where targeted funding can unlock significant and lasting impact. Theirworld focuses on practical solutions that help children get the best start in life, learn in safe and inclusive environments, and gain the skills they need for the future.
Grant Focus Areas
Projects must align with at least one of Theirworld’s core thematic areas:
Best Start in Life
Supporting early childhood development, learning readiness, caregiver engagement, and access to early education.
Safe Place to Learn
Improving school safety, inclusion, learning environments, and access to quality education.
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Skills for the Future
Providing digital, vocational, leadership, and life skills for young people.
Priority is given to projects that also address cross-cutting issues such as climate action, gender equality, inclusion, peace and security, health, and nutrition.
Grant Value and Structure
Funding ranges from £1,000 to £10,000 per project. Grants are typically disbursed as a single instalment, though multi-year funding may be considered in specific cases. All funded organisations are required to submit mid-term and final reports.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a registered charity or not-for-profit organisation
- Work directly with children, young people, or caregivers
- Serve marginalised or disadvantaged communities
- Have a clear project plan with defined outcomes
- Possess an organisational safeguarding policy
- Provide recent annual accounts as part of the application
Who Should Apply
This programme is ideal for community-based organisations that:
- Are delivering education, health, or skills-focused projects
- Need small but catalytic funding to expand or strengthen impact
- Are testing innovative approaches or scaling proven interventions
- Work closely with underserved children and youth populations
Why This Grant Matters
Small, targeted grants can drive transformative change at the community level. For many grassroots organisations, access to large-scale donor funding remains limited. This programme bridges that gap by supporting locally driven solutions that directly improve children’s lives.
Theirworld funding has helped organisations strengthen early childhood learning, improve school safety, expand youth skills development, and enhance health and nutrition outcomes. For organisations working closest to the challenges, this grant offers a realistic pathway to grow impact and reach more children.
How to Apply
Applicants should first confirm eligibility through the official eligibility check, then complete the online application form. Required documents include a safeguarding policy and the organisation’s most recent annual accounts.
Eligibility check and application details:
https://theirworld.org/small-grants-eligibility-check/
Application Timeline
- Application window opens: January 2026
- Application deadline: 16 February 2026 at 5:00pm GMT
- Q&A webinars for applicants: Early February 2026
- Final decisions announced: 30 June 2026
- Grant contracting and payments: July – August 2026
Full Programme Guidelines (PDF):
https://theirworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Small-Grants-Programme-2026.pdf