Beatport and Youth Music has launched a £60,000 fund initiative to empower grassroots electronic music projects across the UK. The scheme will provide four organisations with £15,000 each, ensuring young DJs and producers aged 18 to 25 gain access to mentorship, resources, and opportunities to thrive. Applications are now open until Friday, November 21st 2025.
Beatport x Youth Music Fund: A Collaboration with Purpose
The fund is the result of a new collaboration between Beatport and Youth Music, two organisations with a shared mission. Beatport brings its global platform and industry reach, while Youth Music contributes its grassroots expertise and long‑standing commitment to equity in music. Together, they aim to address barriers that prevent young people from entering the electronic music scene.
This builds on Beatport’s wider push for inclusivity. In an exclusive interview with EDMNomad in 2024, Sofia Ilyas, Chief Community Officer at Beatport, highlighted how the company is working to create fairer opportunities across the industry. The new fund reflects that vision in action.
Response to a Grassroots Crisis
Youth Music research shows that two in five grassroots projects in the UK are at risk of closure. That figure has risen sharply in the past year, threatening the pipeline of future talent. Ife Okonkwo, Partnerships Manager at Youth Music, said the fund will help unlock potential. “Young people from underrepresented backgrounds are uniquely creative. This support will keep grassroots culture alive.”
Beatport has also been expanding its support for emerging artists globally. Earlier this year, the company launched Beatport Next 2026, a platform designed to amplify rising DJs and producers. The Youth Music fund complements that initiative by focusing on the UK grassroots level, ensuring opportunities reach young people at the very start of their journey.
How the Beatport x Youth Music Fund Adds Visibility
The partnership looks beyond financial support. Beatport will also provide editorial exposure and marketing across its platforms, helping organisations reach wider audiences. This approach mirrors other recent projects, such as Beatport’s “The Block” initiative, which took a mobile DJ stage to festivals and city spaces to spotlight underground talent. By combining funding with visibility, the Youth Music fund aims to create long‑term impact for young artists.
Applications close on November 21st, 2025. Successful applicants will join a growing movement to protect and expand the UK’s grassroots electronic music scene. By investing in young talent today, Beatport and Youth Music are helping to shape the future of global electronic culture.
