Two funders may support different stages of young people's mobility

What we noticed

The City Of Birmingham Duke Of Edinburgh'S Award Association funds practical participation costs such as equipment, travel and fees within the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, while The J P T Charitable Trust supports young adults' overseas travel, cultural exchange and education. Together, they suggest a possible progression from affordable first experiences of structured travel and challenge to more independent international opportunity.

Why it is interesting

These organisations are separated by scale and apparent purpose: one is a Birmingham-based access fund attached to a national youth award, and the other is a discretionary trust with overseas charitable activity. Yet both treat mobility as more than travel alone: the Award Association removes costs that block participation, while J P T frames international travel and cultural exchange as development that can benefit communities.

Why this would be easy to miss

The Award Association can appear to be concerned narrowly with kit and expedition expenses, while J P T can appear to be an internationally focused grant-maker. Looking at them together reveals that both may be financing different points on a developmental pathway in which travel builds confidence, capability, networks and wider contribution.

Question

Are there viable routes through which young people helped to complete an Award could later access international exchange, education or community-benefit opportunities supported by trusts such as J P T?

Additional evidence needed

• J P T's recent grant lists, eligibility criteria and examples of travel or exchange awards.
• Information on the destinations, ages and post-Award aspirations of Birmingham Award participants.
• Evidence on whether participants need support to move from local Award activity into international opportunities.

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