A new five-year partnership with global law firm Linklaters is already having a big impact on the lives of young people in Islington.
In year one of the partnership, Linklaters’ funding has supported seven youth projects – with a proposed reach over nearly 800 young people – and provided 12 local young people with the opportunity to take part in our Young Grant Makers programme.
During the five-month programme, the Young Grant Makers, aged between 16-24, discussed their experiences of growing up in the borough, their priorities for change locally, and how they think funding can best support their peers.
Thanks to Linklaters as well as other supporters including the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, in 2025/6 the Young Grant Makers had £195,000 of funding to award to local projects. Following discussions and training, the panel designed a call for projects, which this year prioritised supporting at key points of transition and providing engaging educational opportunities – with specific focus on young people who may face additional challenges accessing activities. Read the funding call here.
Bringing lived experience, curiosity and fresh perspectives, the panel then shortlisted and made final funding decisions about which projects best reflect the needs and concerns of local young people.
During the programme, the panellists also received training on topics such as budgeting, making joint decisions and unconscious bias, attended the offices of corporate partners and spoke to other funders about their insights. These experiences have helped the Young Grant Makers to develop personally and professionally.
“It has been meaningful to see how our lived experiences are valued and used to shape funding decisions that affect our community, as well as the discussions which have helped me think more critically about impact, fairness, and the role young people can play in influencing systems.” Jarah, Young Grant Maker 2025/6
Long-term thinking
Linklaters have committed £500,000 over the next five years to create opportunities for young people in Islington and Haringey. Islington Giving and Haringey Giving will each receive £250,000 over a five-year period to support young people in their boroughs. Joanna Keefe, Global Corporate Responsibility Manager at Linklaters will also join the Islington Giving Board alongside other Coalition Partners, helping to pool expertise, share learning and shape our priorities as an organisation.
This long-term partnership demonstrates Linklaters’ commitment to communities in the Borough of islington, and provides security and stability for us to continue to develop our work and shift decision-making power into the hands of more local young people.
“Haringey Giving plays a unique and vital role in Haringey, channelling resources to local organisations that understand their communities best. For Linklaters, that alignment with place-based, community-led impact is exactly why we chose to support Haringey Giving from its earliest stages. Working with such a locally embedded, insight-led organisation has enabled us to extend the reach and relevance of our Social Impact work. Joanna Keefe, Global Corporate Responsibility Manager, Linklaters
“We are delighted to be working with Linklaters over the next five years to support youth-led decision making in our borough. The funding will contribute to our Young Grant Makers programme, creating the opportunity for 12 young people each year to shape how resources are used locally to support their peers. In addition to empowering young people by putting decision-making into their hands, the programme also provides the opportunity to build confidence, develop soft skills and gain experience in a paid work setting. The partnership also provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with our neighbours at Haringey Giving, sharing learning to benefit young people across our boroughs.” Sarah Benioff, Islington Giving CEO
Cross borough collaboration
We are delighted that this partnership will also provide the opportunity to work more closely with Haringey Giving, who are also receiving funding from Linklaters to support local young people. We look forward to sharing learning and collaborating across the borough boundary, creating a robust network of support and opportunities for local young people.
“We’re overjoyed and immensely grateful to Linklaters for their continued support for people experiencing inequality and disadvantage in Haringey. We’re absolutely delighted to be working together with Linklaters and Islington Giving to enable many more young people to achieve their goals and potential!” Helen Rayfield, Chair of Haringey Giving
Young Grant Makers 2026/7
Recruitment for the next Young Grant Makers programme will begin in summer 2026 and grants will be awarded in early 2027. Please get in touch with Laura.Guy@Cripplegate.org.uk if you would like to find out more.
