The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has announced that 41 youth projects across Britain are set to benefit from a share of £180m as part of the myplace initiative.

Funding will be made available to a range of schemes in cities, towns and rural communities in a government bid to provide young people with world-class sports, arts and education facilities. Administered on behalf of the DCSF by the Big Lottery Fund, all myplace projects are developed in consultation with young people and the result of a partnership between local authorities and private sector companies.

Among the 41 schemes to receive a share of funding is Blackburn Youth Zone in Lancashire, which has received £5m for the development of a new facility offering a climbing wall, boxing gym, fitness suite, arts, dance and football. Bradford YMCA in Yorkshire has also been awarded £5m towards Culture Fusion, the £9.8m redevelopment and extension of a building that will provide sports and arts facilities, as well as a live music venue and hostel.

Beverley Hughes, minister for children and young people, said: "This unprecedented investment will fund a new generation of places for young people to go with exciting activities on offer, like film-making and music recording. “We know that around 44 per cent of young people feel that they don’t have enough say on the kind of services and activities provided for them. Myplace is only funding projects where young people, particularly disadvantaged young people, have been fully involved in the development, design and future running of the project."

The Sorrell Foundation, set up in 1999 to inspire creativity in young people, will be involved with 15 of the schemes. Sir John Sorrell added: "This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to work with great designers to help create a new generation of world class youth facilities."