Story Highlight
- Bukhman Philanthropies partners with Young Futures for UK pilot programme.
- Groundwork UK will support youth organisations focusing on mental health.
- Programme prioritises youth input in shaping responses to AI impacts.
- Participants will receive grants and leadership development support.
- Future phases will assess collaboration and build on initial learnings.
Full Story
Bukhman Philanthropies has partnered with Young Futures to launch a new initiative aimed at supporting UK organisations that assist young people in adapting to a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. Announced on 16 September 2026, the program, named Groundwork UK, will be a multi-year pilot designed to draw from the experiences of young individuals and the capabilities of organisations dedicated to youth services.
The initiative aims to identify and provide support to effective groups focusing on youth mental health, wellbeing, agency, belonging, and learning in the context of AI. Bukhman Philanthropies will act as the catalytic anchor partner, offering funding alongside leadership development, youth engagement, research, and collaboration to strengthen participating organisations and foster a more interconnected approach towards youth and technology.
Daria Bukhman, co-founder and chair of Bukhman Philanthropies, stated, “Young people are already living through profound technological change, and they deserve a meaningful role in shaping how society responds.” She expressed a commitment to investing in the work of exceptional charities and researchers that understand the challenges faced by young people, with the goal of promoting their flourishing within an AI-driven landscape.
The Groundwork UK program will begin with research and listening initiatives to ascertain young people’s perspectives on the impact of AI on their education, relationships, and overall wellbeing. Findings from this initial phase will define the program’s funding strategies and priorities. The initiative will launch an open funding challenge to select its first cohort of beneficiaries, who will receive two-year grants and gain access to the Young Futures Academy for leadership and fundraising support.
Katya Hancock, chief executive officer of Young Futures, emphasised that the challenges posed by AI extend beyond technology to encompass human development. She remarked, “What do young people in the UK need to thrive in a world increasingly shaped by AI? Safety matters, but it is only the floor.” Hancock highlighted the importance of nurturing traits that enhance human experience, such as creativity and connection.
Groundwork UK is positioned to leverage the UK’s strong charitable landscape and research capabilities while connecting valuable practices across sectors. Young Futures plans to document and share the learning outcomes of participating organisations, ensuring a feedback loop that integrates youth voices with frontline experiences to guide future actions and partnerships.
The support from Bukhman Philanthropies will enable the establishment of a broader collaborative funding platform throughout the pilot. In the second year, Young Futures and its partners will assess the effectiveness of the initiatives and explore potential collaborative opportunities moving forward. Groundwork UK aims to learn from its execution before expanding, ensuring its evolution aligns with the insights of the youth, organisations, researchers, and funders engaged in the initiative.
Further information is available at youngfutures.org/initiatives/groundwork.
Source: read the original report.
