This new London-wide initiative is being launched by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), in partnership with specialist organisations Abianda and Agenda Alliance.

The Fund aims to strengthen both direct support and the evidence base on what works, by offering grants to London-based community groups already working with women and girls impacted by gangs, violence and exploitation. 

Through the delivery of group work, development support for grantees and co-production activities, it will generate the following learning and evidence to inform practice, policy and commissioning:

• insights on what works in supporting girls and young women
• language and definitions that are inclusive, accurate, and informed by the voices of girls and young women
• contemporary understanding of girls and young women’s needs beyond the gang member narrative.

Local groups funded through the programme will have four main roles:

• to create safe spaces for girls and young women to take part in group sessions, where they can connect with others and offer each other support
• to involve girls and young women in co-design and co-production activities – helping shape services and build a better understanding of what support should look like
• to engage with development support and capacity-building, including learning sessions and networking with other grant-funded groups
• to engage with the Fund’s monitoring and learning activities to help us learn from the group work.

Applications will be welcomed from London-based organisations and groups who either have experience of delivering group work specifically for this cohort of girls and young women, or a strong track record of working with this group but limited experience of delivering group work.

They are especially interested in hearing from grassroots and community-led organisations.

The fund will open for applications in January 2026

To register interest and receive updates, visit the Social Finance Girls and Young Women Local Groups webpages here.