Make it Happen 2026

Youth-Led Creativity Takes Centre Stage in Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest is buzzing with opportunity! The council has launched Make it Happen 2026, a grants programme designed to put young people aged 18–25 in the driving seat of culture and creativity. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a community organiser, or part of a collective with big ideas, this is your chance to bring your vision to life, with up to £10,000 of funding available for projects happening between June 2026 and March 2027.

Since 2013, Waltham Forest Council has invested £850,000 into over 80 creative projects through Make it Happen. Many past recipients like Stories and Supper, GB Carnival, Revel Puck Circus, and Women Over 50 Film Festival, have grown into organisations that now deliver incredible work locally and beyond.

For 2026, the spotlight is firmly on young people. The programme also prioritises applicants from marginalised backgrounds, including people of colour, those from low-income families, and individuals who are blind, d/Deaf, disabled, or neurodiverse. This is about breaking barriers, amplifying voices, and making sure the borough’s cultural scene truly reflects its diverse community.

Who Can Apply?

The grants are open to:

• Individuals aged 18–25 living, working, or studying in Waltham Forest
• Artist and creative collectives
• Community and arts organisations
• Charities and residents’ associations
• Businesses and CICs (non-profit projects only)
• Schools and colleges

Even if you don’t see yourself as “creative” or “cultural,” you’re encouraged to apply, because creativity comes in many forms, and this programme is all about fresh ideas.

How to Apply

Applications happen in two stages:

• Stage One: Expression of Interest
  • Opens: Friday 21 November 2025, 6am
  • Deadline: Monday 6 January 2026, 11pm
  • Submit a short video, voice note, or written piece outlining your project idea.
• Stage Two: Shortlisted Applications
  • Opens: 16 January 2026
  • Deadline: 27 February 2026
  • Shortlisted applicants will receive support to develop their ideas into detailed proposals.

Don’t forget to check out the Funding Guidance Pack and attend one of the drop-in support sessions at local libraries throughout November and December. These sessions are a great way to get advice and boost your application. Drop-in sessions run from 10am–5pm at libraries across the borough, including Wood Street, Hale End, Walthamstow, Leyton, Leytonstone, Chingford, and Higham Hill. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO