Spotify and Youth Music collaborate on Open Doors Fund to invest in youth spaces

Spotify and Youth Music are committed to extending the Open Doors Fund into 2026, ensuring that even more youth spaces receive the funding they need to continue supporting young people. Research conducted by Youth Music and Spotify showed that one in three (34%) young people in the UK say there aren't enough youth spaces in their area, with three quarters (74%) saying that youth clubs are a safe space for young people, and help develop creative talents, meaning that the spaces are crucial.

The research also revealed that three quarters of young people (72%) believe the current government inherited an environment where young people hadn’t been prioritised for years. In terms of investment in youth spaces and programmes, and 75% agree or strongly agree that the current government could be doing more to invest in safe spaces for young people.

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In terms of accessibility, 71% of young people believe it’s too expensive to engage with music in 2025, with those living in the North of England reporting that they are most affected by the high prices, and almost half (47%) believing that a career in the arts was never a realistic option for them.

According to Youth Music’s Rescue the Roots research, two in five (41%) grassroots youth music projects are at risk of closure, as well as the ongoing concerns about independent music venues. Earlier this year, Ezra Collective announced the Future Foundation which provided five paid opportunities for young black women to learn, grow and gain real industry experience with their behind the scenes team in May 2025, meanwhile The Last Dinner Party showed their support for The Independent Venue Community (IVC) – which aims to transform independent music venues into inclusive, daytime community spaces.