About Us

KPE4 exists to respond to the challenges that prevent many young people from reaching their full potential.

We focus our support on a network of core charities in Pilton and Muirhouse through flexible, multi-year funding, alongside capacity-building work that supports them to meet the needs of young people from before birth through to adulthood.

Our approach, informed by backgrounds in start-up and entrepreneurship, is trust-based and relationship-led, keeping administration light, with a clear commitment to learning and improvement.

What We Do

KPE4 directs its funding to achieve the greatest possible impact, guided by a clear set of strategic priorities. At present, around 50% of our funding is invested in a group of 14 Core Charities supporting young people growing up in and around Pilton and Muirhouse. These charities are selected for the different roles they play in responding to a wide range of needs, challenges, and circumstances in the area, and KPE4 has, or aims to build, trusted long-term relationships with them.

A further 40% of KPE4’s funding supports other organisations working directly with young people locally, including one-off projects and targeted initiatives intended to address specific issues and improve outcomes.

Alongside this, KPE4 seeks to strengthen connections between Core Charities themselves, encouraging collaboration and shared learning where this can lead to better outcomes for young people. There is no set number of organisations supported through non-core funding, school recommendations, or collaborative funding.

The work funded aligns to our four strategic pillars:

1. Nail the Basics

Ensure young people have the necessary foundations to learn and develop at home and in the classroom.

2. One Champion

Every child has visibility of and access to role models, the support/love of youth workers and inspiring teachers, helping them to build

self-esteem.

3. Foster Belief

Support young people

to broaden their horizons, believe in

their potential and find fulfilling employment

4. Collaborate

Engage with and/or fund

joint initiatives to optimise for effectiveness, efficiency, and/or scale in meeting young people’s needs.

Accessing Support

Charities and organisations interested in funding may be able to access support in one of the following ways:

1. Selection as a Core Charity
Core Charities are reviewed and selected every two to three years. The next review is scheduled for April 2027, and further details will be shared here when the application process opens to new organisations.

2. Joint Collaborative Approaches
We actively encourage collaborative proposals where two or more charities wish to work together to better meet the needs of young people in the area. Collaborative approaches must be proposed by a Core Charity, although partnerships may include any other charity they recommend.

Proposals should be submitted by email by the Core Charity and are reviewed by Trustees on an ad hoc basis. Details of our current Core Charities can be found in the section below (Who We Work With).

3. Non-Core Charity Funding
Both charities that serve young people in Pilton and Muirhouse (our focused demographic), and those out with this scope are welcome to apply. However, less than 10% of KPE4’s budget is allocated to “non-focused” funding.

As a result, requests for more than £10,000 are unlikely to be considered, and due to demand, it is anticipated that approximately one in ten non-focused applications will be successful. The non-core application process is designed to be light-touch, and applications are reviewed every one to two months. The application form can be found at the bottom of this site.

4. School-Recommended Support
KPE4 also administers a separate fund that allows local schools - Craigroyston Primary, Forthview Primary, Granton Primary, and Pirniehall Primary - to recommend charities and organisations that support their pupils. This fund is administered by KPE4, with funding paid directly to the organisations involved. The charity working in schools’ application form can be found at the bottom of this site.

The Trust works to the financial year and Trustees meet twice a year in April and October to review progress, assess any new applications for funding. Core charity decisions are reviewed every 2-3 years (next review April 2027) while non-core charity applications are reviewed every 4-8 weeks.

Who We Work With

Our Core Charities and partner organisations for 2025/26.

Over the years, KPE4 has built trusted relationships with several charities, schools, and organisations delivering valuable services and projects within the communities of Pilton and Muirhouse, and beyond. Each year, between 12 and 14 charities are selected as KPE4’s Core Charities. These are:

How to Apply

The application form for non-core charities is here.

The application form for charities to apply for school support funding can be found here.

Core charity application is currently by invitation only.

We aim to limit the administrative process to apply for funds, as such charities are encouraged to leave any questions that are too time-consuming or difficult to answer.

Any questions please contact kpe4@revlab.com

As Scotland’s oldest charity, they support vulnerable and care-experienced children and young people through residential, fostering, and community-based services.

Offers practical resettlement support for people affected by homelessness, with its Pantry service providing a vital lifeline for families in the local area.

A purpose-built, community-owned creative space offering arts and dance activities for children, young people, and the wider community.

Delivers equine-assisted and outdoor-based programmes that help children and young people build confidence, resilience, and positive engagement, particularly those facing barriers in mainstream education.

Matches secondary school pupils with trained volunteer mentors for regular one-to-one sessions in school, helping young people take ownership of their learning and develop a love of learning.

A new and innovative consortium led by Fresh Start, with North Edinburgh Arts, Move On and Spartans Community Football Academy to help young people and families in North Edinburgh navigate and access services and support.

Relationship-based youth work in schools and the local community, including a weekly youth group, one-to-one support and counselling, drop-in provision, and trips and residentials.

Works with young men in North Edinburgh through outreach, group work, alternative education support, and outdoor challenge programmes. Recent activities include the expedition to climb Gran Paradiso, the highest mountain in Italy.

Counselling and practical support for people and families navigating pregnancy and early parenthood across Edinburgh, including a baby bank that provides essential items for families in need.

Uses football and community-based programmes to engage with young people. They also deliver alternative education programmes and in-school support through a dedicated Education Officer funded by KPE4, helping young people remain connected to learning.

Works with families with an autistic child to deliver skills-based support focused on everyday life skills, helping reduce stress and make daily family life more manageable. The service also offers wellbeing support for neurodivergent children and young people and their carers.

Works with families and school-aged children in North Edinburgh who have experienced trauma, providing one-to-one support, group work, early years and parenting programmes, and practical help.

Works with young carers to reduce isolation and build wellbeing through tailored activities, one-to-one support, and opportunities to connect, learn, and grow.

Delivers mental health coaching, art therapy, and counselling for young people, providing tailored support to help them understand their emotions, build coping strategies, and improve wellbeing.