My Ends: Meet the Funders – backing youth, building safer communities
My Ends: Meet the Funders – Backing Youth, Building Safer Communities
By Naimah Miah, Community Development Senior Project Manager
Tower Hamlets Island Community Network (THICN) is a grassroots partnership working to reduce youth violence on the Isle of Dogs, funded by the London Violence Reduction Unit (VRU). On 17th June, the Meet the Funders event brought together young changemakers, grassroots organisations, and funders to champion community-led solutions to youth violence.
At the heart of the event were a series of youth-led funding pitches. The inspiring young people worked hard to develop their ideas and present them directly to funders, building confidence, connections, and real momentum for community action. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and we’re proud to spotlight their leadership.
Delivered by ELBA, this event forms a key part of the borough’s wider My Ends programme with targeted interventions including digital skills training, street outreach, creative prevention workshops, and tailored support for girls and young women. Crucially, young people with lived experience are empowered to shape and co-deliver local solutions – shaping the future for themselves and those to follow.
A huge thank you to the funders who attended and to Canary Wharf Group for generously hosting the event.
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