A newly published case study from IVAR (Institute for Voluntary Action Research) shines a spotlight on the Perthshire Youth Work Partnership—a pioneering funding collaboration between The Gannochy Trust and Perth and Kinross Council—and its significant, long-term impact on young people and communities across Perth and Kinross. The partnership is also being supported by a new dedicated online platform, Perthshire Youth Work developed by The Gannochy Trust to help young people access opportunities across the region.
Established in 2019, the partnership was created in response to a sustained decline in youth work participation, both locally and nationally. A 2017 mapping study commissioned by The Gannochy Trust revealed that youth work participation had fallen by around 50% between 2006 and 2017, with local provision particularly affected by fragmented, short-term funding and a lack of coordination.
A new approach to funding youth work
In response, The Gannochy Trust and Perth and Kinross Council took a bold, collaborative approach—pooling their existing youth work budgets into a single, long-term fund. Contributing on a 50:50 basis, the partners created a £1.5 million funding pot over five years, replacing short-term grants with stable, multi-year investment.
The model introduced a number of key innovations:
• A single application and reporting process, reducing administrative burden
• Five-year funding commitments, enabling long-term planning
• A trust-based approach, removing rigid output targets
• Funding allocated based on local need and population data
Seven organisations were funded across five localities, ensuring both urban and rural coverage. Importantly, many were small, grassroots groups, supported through guidance and local engagement to access the fund.
Reversing decline and strengthening the sector
The results, as outlined in IVAR’s case study, have been transformative.
After years of decline, youth work participation has increased significantly, with organisations now reaching nearly five times as many young people as in 2017/18—equivalent to around 42% of the secondary school population in Perthshire.
At the same time, organisations have become stronger and more sustainable. Long-term funding has enabled them to move beyond short-term survival, invest in staff, expand provision and improve quality.
The shift has also fostered a more collaborative culture. Previously isolated organisations are now working together—sharing resources, expertise and opportunities—while playing a more strategic role in shaping local youth provision.
A system-wide transformation
Crucially, the partnership has not increased overall funding levels. Instead, its success has been driven by a fundamental shift in approach—towards long-term, flexible and trust-based funding, underpinned by strong relationships and shared purpose.
Funded organisations now act as strategic partners rather than annual applicants, with a stronger collective voice in local decision-making. Young people themselves are also playing a more active role, contributing through Youth Panels and helping shape funding priorities.
Brian Hutton, Achievement Coordinator at Perth and Kinross Council said:
“By working in true partnership with The Gannochy Trust, we’ve been able to move away from short-term funding cycles and create a more stable, joined-up approach to youth work. The results speak for themselves—more young people engaged, stronger organisations, and a system that is far better equipped to meet local needs.”
Supporting young people through a new digital hub
Alongside the funding partnership, The Gannochy Trust has also launched a new dedicated website—Perthshire Youth Work—designed to make it easier for young people to access opportunities in their local area.
The website was developed to address a clear gap, with no existing online presence explaining what the Perthshire Youth Work Partnership is, how it operates, or what it has achieved. It also responds to the lack of accessible information for young people and families looking to find youth work opportunities across Perth and Kinross. An interactive online map now enables users to easily discover activities and provision in their local area.
The platform acts as a central hub for youth work across Perthshire, helping young people:
• Discover local youth groups and activities
• Access support and information
• Set up their own youth initiatives
• Stay informed about news and opportunities
In addition, the Trust has introduced a new support programme through the platform to help communities establish their own youth groups. This goes beyond a small grant, offering mentoring support from members of the Perthshire Youth Work Partnership, membership of Youth Scotland, and practical assistance with developing constitutions, Child Protection Policies and PVG Scheme processes.
The initiative is already showing early impact, with two communities engaging to start their own youth groups, including an initial project underway in Comrie through the Comrie Development Trust.
It also provides a valuable resource for organisations and the wider community, further strengthening connections across the sector.
A model for the future
Andy Duncan, CEO of The Gannochy Trust, said:
“This partnership shows what can be achieved when funders come together with a shared purpose and a willingness to do things differently. By moving away from short-term, fragmented funding and placing trust in organisations, we’ve helped create a more sustainable, collaborative and impactful youth work system—one that is delivering real benefits for young people across Perthshire.”
As financial pressures continue to challenge public and third sector services, the Perthshire Youth Work Partnership offers a practical, scalable model for others to follow—demonstrating that meaningful, system-level change can be achieved not by increasing funding, but by working differently, together. Due to the success of the partnership, on the 1st April 2024, a second 5 year term was awarded to the same partners, showing the commitment of both the Council and The Gannochy Trust to provide long term funding support to the initiative.
