Equimundo and Movember Launch the Young Men and Media Collective Funding Opportunity Application

The Young Men and Media Collective (YMMC) is a new initiative that aims to transform the way young men see themselves, and the world around them. It will bring together creators, platforms, and organisations to test what works to evolve away from harmful ideas about what it means to be a man, which young men are increasingly exposed to.

Coinciding with YMMC’s launch is the announcement of eight to 10 new funding opportunities; each funding opportunity will fund test and learn activities to understand what works to change the stories that young men subscribe to.

Read on to find out more and how to apply for funding. The Call for Expressions of Interest is now open.

What is the YMMC?

The YMMC is an ambitious new initiative designed to bring together content creators, producers, influencers, media platforms, and organisations reaching men and boys online in a collaborative space. The YMMC serves as a hub for experimentation, learning, and dialogue, focused on evolving and reshaping the dominant — and often harmful — ideas about what it means to be a man that persist in online environments.

The YMMC is building a diverse and dynamic network of partners with funding to support bold, fresh ideas and innovative approaches. We are seeking to support eight to 10 partners, to produce and distribute compelling content that speaks directly to young men. The goal is to disrupt harmful ideals — such as the “relentlessly rich and ripped” archetype — and offer alternative, healthier ideas about what it means to be a man.

If you have questions or want to talk to the team about becoming a partner in the YMMC Learning Network, please email sarah.sternberg@movember.com.

Who is co-convening YMMC?

Equimundo and Movember are co-convening the YMMC, bringing both organizations’ expertise in masculinities, health, social justice, and putting research insights into action.

What are the “test and learn” funding opportunities?

As part of the YMMC, Equimundo, Movember, and Oak Foundation are co-funding a series of eight to 10 test-and-learn funding opportunities available for organisations and individuals focused on exploring what works to evolve away from ideas about what it means to be a man that young men are exposed to online. The learnings from these pilots will be shared with the YMMC’s wider learning network to equip a larger group of organisations to effectively support and create alternative ideas with the goal of ultimately shifting young men’s views of what it means to be a man today.

Who can apply

Organizations or individuals with experience in co-designing with young men and directly working with those who produce media content would make suitable recipients of funding.

The YMMC will appeal to:

• Online publishers
• Game designers
• Platforms
• Social impact content agencies
• Influencers
• Implementing organisations working with boys and young men
• Youth-led organisations

More details on funding eligibility in the “Expression of Interest” document in a grant portal linked here.

How to apply

All Expressions of Interest must be submitted online by the submission deadline by 9:00 pm GMT on October 28 at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=movember. Late submissions or applications submitted through any other means will not be accepted.

Steps:

1. Register and create a profile.
2. Provide organization or individual and project lead details and contact information.
3. Provide the total funding amount that will be requested. A full budget is not required for Phase 1 of the Expressions of Interest.
4. Confirm that you have read and understood the application guidelines and that your organisation and initiative meet the eligibility criteria by completing the online checklist and uploading any corresponding requested documentation.
5. Complete all the questions and submit the Expressions of Interest.

Lead the way

The YMMC is about more than funding projects; it’s about building a movement. If you have the ideas, networks, or platforms to help change the way masculinities are represented online, we encourage you to apply and join us in reshaping the stories young men see every day.