Spotify and UK charity Youth Music are expanding their Open Doors Fund to a further 23 grassroots music spaces, increasing the initiative’s reach from 15 to 38 sites across the country. The move comes as new research shows 37% of such community projects have considered closing because of funding pressures.
The fund, now in its second year, directs resources to youth clubs, community halls and local studios that offer music and arts activities, with a focus on underrepresented communities. It forms part of a wider partnership between the audio streaming platform and the national charity.
Funding expansion
“Supporting emerging talent is foundational to what we do,” said Kristin Jarrett, Lead, Social Impact & Creator Equity at Spotify. “We have programs like Fresh Finds and RADAR to boost new artists, but we’re committed to helping creators at every stage of their journey. Open Doors is the starting point: it’s about investing in the community spaces that give young people their first shot at being creative.”
Isaac Borquaye, known professionally as Guvna B and Co-Chair of Youth Music, added: “It’s great that Spotify is continuing to help us change lives through music with the Open Doors Fund. Grassroots music spaces are where young people build community and confidence. They’re where music begins for many artists. But a third of these crucial projects are at risk of closure. We hope initiatives like this will inspire others to take positive action to protect grassroots music.”
Sector under pressure
The expansion follows Youth Music’s latest research, released to mark the second year of its “Rescue the Roots” campaign. The findings highlight that 37% of grassroots music projects have considered shutting down due to financial strain, while more than 33,500 young people remain on waiting lists for creative programmes.
Open Doors Day in London
To mark the 2026 cohort, the 23 recipient organisations gathered at Spotify’s London office for a day of collaboration and industry insight. Singer-songwriter and advocate Nia Smith attended to discuss the role of community spaces in launching creative careers.
Workshops included a podcasting session led by Sam Tefera, co-host of Think Twice, a songwriting workshop with Joel Baker, and an artist listening session with Maegan Cottone. The day concluded with an impromptu performance during the networking mixer.
First-year impact
In its inaugural year, the Open Doors Fund helped sustain 137 jobs, 81 of which were freelance roles, and saw one in three young participants move into further music-making opportunities. “That’s exactly the ripple effect we hoped this partnership would create and sustain,” Jarrett said.
