Announcing Our 2025 Small Grant Awards
The Commercial Education Trust (CET) is delighted to announce the recipients of our latest Small Grants funding round. These grants support innovative, practical projects that help young people develop commercial awareness, employability skills, and pathways into meaningful work.
Our Small Grants programme provides grants of up to £10,000 to support organisations whose work aligns with CET’s mission to promote commercial education in the UK.
· Isle of Wight Youth Trust – ‘Be Your Own Boss’ - The Isle of Wight Commercial Skills Project
‘Be Your Own Boss’ is a programme designed specifically for the young people on the Isle of Wight, delivering entrepreneurial training and support to explore self-employment.
“By equipping young people with the tools, confidence, and support to explore self-employment, we are opening doors to independence, creativity, and opportunity.” — Matthew Hall, 16-25 Lead
· Intergenerational Music Making – Intergenerational Pathways: Skills for a Connected Future
A 12-month employability course for 90 young people in Manchester and London, harnessing intergenerational mentoring.
“By uniting generations through mentorship and hands-on training, we’re tackling youth unemployment and building stronger, more inclusive communities.” — Charlotte Miller, Director
· Warrington Youth Zone – Employability Matters
A small-group employability programme offering life skills, industry experience days and mentoring to vulnerable young people.
“This grant will make a real difference to disadvantaged young people in Warrington, helping them gain the skills and confidence they need.” — Dave McNicholl, CEO
· Promise Foundation – Promise Foundation Mentoring Programme
This programme offers one-to-one mentoring in schools in London’s most deprived boroughs, supporting students with potential but limited opportunities.
“This funding will help us continue unlocking potential and broadening horizons for students who too often fall through the cracks.” — Simon Marks, Programme Director
· MyBigCareer– Supporting Employability in the North East
Sponsored by CET Honorary Fellow Anne Robins, this project will help prepare 310 young people (aged 14–18) in the North East of England for employment, through Industry Insight Days and Work Readiness Workshops.
“Your support will help us equip these young people with the skills they need to transition into the world of work.” — Sophie Williams, Partnership Developer
· OrganicLea CIC – Grow and Learn
Grow and Learn is an established project which offers extended work experience and vocational training in horticulture and farming in North-East London.
“We’re empowering young people to become the next generation of social entrepreneurs in the food system.” — Marlene Barrett, Director
· X-Forces Enterprise – Cadets in Enterprise
CET's funding will help support enterprise workshops and mentoring for Army, Navy and Air Force Cadets, delivered with corporate partners.
“We’re equipping young cadets with the commercial awareness, confidence, and connections they need to thrive.” — Ren Kapur MBE
Main Grants Programme
We are pleased to make the following award for our main grants programme:
· Engineering Development Trust – Industrial Cadets Framework
This project will see EDT build workplace attitudes and behaviours into their STEM-focused Industrial Cadets accreditation scheme.
“We want all young people to thrive in the workplace, so we’re grateful to CET for supporting us to strengthen the framework.” — Julie Feest, CEO
Save the Date!
We’re also excited to announce an evening event for CET grantees, partners, and stakeholders to share learning and connect.
📅15 October 2025 in London
More details to follow!
