FREE Employability – Evidence In Action (EIA)

About The Evidence in Action (EIA)

The Youth Futures Foundation launched the Evidence into Action (EIA) programme in 2024–2025, a funding and learning initiative that supports organisations in Greater Manchester to improve employment outcomes for young people aged 16-24.

The funding focuses on young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds (Black, Mixed Black, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller) who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) or at risk of becoming so.

The programme offered grants of up to £75,000 per year for up to three years to frontline delivery organisations. Making Education a Priority (MEaP) is proud to be one of the grantees in the Greater Manchester area for the 2024–2027 period.

Evidence in Action (EIA) – Programme support and Partnerships

In addition to the central support of Youth Futures Foundations (YFF), Action for Race Equality (ARE) acts as the strategic partner, providing consultancy on business planning, governance, and HR for the funded organisations. Additional Local Support comes from The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) who are also funding NEET support (Not in Employment, Education or Training).

MEaP also chose to strengthen delivery with additional working partners. These include:

• Elevate Young Minds (EYM) for their experience and expertise in helping young people gain employment in creative disciplines such as theatre or dance. Their yearly Face Festival served as a demonstration of their work in the starting period of the project.
• 3E Web Media Ltd has a proven record helping to re-empower unemployed young people and adults to hone their hidden skills, and develop in-demand digital and career skills while boosting resilience and confidence.
• Pathfinder Education Limited has shown some great results with its social hackatons that bring out the hidden talents of our young audiences through exciting real-life professional challenges.

Evidence in Action (EIA) Programme Timeline

Phase 1 (Jan 2025 – Dec 2025): Learning, capacity building, and piloting evidence-based approaches

The pilots included:

• TECHWELL 2025 led by MEaP and delivered by 3E Web Media Ltd and MEaP
• Face Festival 2025 led by Elevate Young Minds with the support of MEaP
• Free Makers and Creators led by MEaP and delivered by Pathfinders International and MEaP

Phase 2 (Jan 2026 – Dec 2027): Implementation of activities developed in Phase 1