In 2025, the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority awarded funding to the City of York Council as part of David Skaith’s Mayoral Investment Fund to develop and manage the ‘Cultural Passport for Young People’ programme.

Impact of pilot projects

An initial phase of pilot projects in York and North Yorkshire has taken place focusing on creative activities for young people aged 11 to 18, with the support of North Yorkshire Council. The impact of these projects has been instrumental in understanding the current state of the cultural and creative offering for young people, alongside both York's Cultural Strategy and North Yorkshire's Cultural Strategy.

Increasing skills and aspirations

As we move to the next phase, 2026 to 2027, we are opening applications for organisations to request up to £20,000 in funding.

Successful projects will provide cultural and creative activities for young people from underprivileged areas within the Combined Authority boundary. We hope to increase skillset, aspiration to study and work in the sector, and develop the health and wellbeing of young people through creativity.

For a complete overview of the aims and criteria read the guidance and resources.

Achieving success

The final phase of evaluations and programme summary will conclude in March 2028.