The African French Speaking Community Support charity has been awarded the Open Doors Fund grant to boost youth music opportunities.

African French Speaking Community Support (AFSCS) is delighted to announce new funding of £15,000 from Youth Music’s Open Doors Fund, supported by Spotify, to deliver a year-long programme of youth-led music workshops for young refugees and asylum seekers across Birmingham, Sandwell and Dudley.
The grant will enable at least 48 young people aged 11–25 to participate in safe, inclusive music workshops, develop songwriting and production skills, record their own tracks, and perform at two youth-led showcase events for families and the wider community. The funding also strengthens AFSCS’s capacity, supporting project management, staff stability and partnerships that help reduce isolation and build confidence among young people from African French-speaking backgrounds.

“Thanks to this funding, our young people will have a space to express themselves, celebrate their cultures and begin to imagine sustainable futures in music,” said Jacques Matensi-Kubanza, Chair of the board of trustees at AFSCS. “After the disruption of previous funding rejections, this grant provides vital stability and continuity for our youth music work.”

AFSCS would like to thank Youth Music, Spotify and local partners for their support and looks forward to sharing music, stories and success at the upcoming showcase events over the next 12 months.