Open Doors Youth Music Programme
The African French Speaking Community Support (AFSCS) is proud to deliver the Open Doors Youth Music Programme, made possible through a £15,000 grant from Youth Music’s Open Doors Fund, supported by Spotify.
This year-long, youth-led programme is designed to expand access to music-making opportunities for young refugees and asylum seekers aged 11–25 living in Birmingham, Sandwell and Dudley, with a particular focus on young people from African French-speaking backgrounds.
What the programme offers
Through safe, inclusive and culturally responsive workshops, at least 48 young people will:
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Take part in regular music-making, songwriting and music production sessions
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Learn practical skills in recording, performance and creative collaboration
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Create and record their own original tracks
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Build confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging
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Perform at two youth-led showcase events for families and the wider community
More than music
The Open Doors Youth Music Programme is about more than developing musical talent. It supports young people who may face barriers linked to migration, language, trauma or social isolation, providing:
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A welcoming space to express identity, culture and lived experience
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Opportunities to develop transferable skills such as teamwork, communication and leadership
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Positive pathways into further music activity, training or creative careers
The funding also strengthens AFSCS’s organisational capacity, helping ensure stable staffing, strong partnerships and high-quality delivery throughout the year.
“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. After the disruption of previous funding rejections, this grant provides vital stability and continuity for our youth music work.”
— Jacques Matensi-Kubanza, Chair of the Board of Trustees, AFSCS
AFSCS would like to thank Youth Music, Spotify and our local partners for making this programme possible. We look forward to sharing the creativity, stories and achievements of our young people at the upcoming showcase events over the next 12 months. 🎶
