The Learning Launchpad fund provides investment to emerging social organisations that are working to raise the aspirations and release the potential of young people aged 14-25 in their transition to adulthood. Applications are welcome from individuals, charities, for-profit businesses and social enterprises, and the next deadline is 24th Nov 09.

Helping innovative organisations to grow or get off the ground through a combination of financial investment and tailored support, Learning Launchpad are looking for ideas that help young people reach beyond academic paths to success, encouraging learning-by-doing, and developing their non-cognitive "soft" skills.

To be eligible for investment and support you should be an emerging social organisation that offers practical learning opportunities to young people aged 14 to 25. The fund doesn’t support programmes that are delivered by established charities or businesses unless they plan it to ‘spin-out’ as a separate organisation.

They are looking for individuals (or even better, teams) that are committed to solving problems facing young people with groundbreaking ideas. Ideas will be evaluated based on the following five criteria: Social impact, Innovation, Sustainability, Scalability, Passionate, competent people.

For more information, including full application details and criteria visit - www.learninglaunchpad.org/

Created by the Launchpad at the Young Foundation, in partnership with the independent education foundation Edge.