Muslim-Led Youth Projects Save UK Millions, Study Finds
The study by the Equi think tank, titled “Tackling Youth Violence: The Impact of Muslim-Led Organisations,” comes amid a 141 percent rise in knife-related teenage deaths and mounting concern about youth crime nationwide, Arab News reported on Friday.
It is the first UK study to measure the social and economic contribution of faith-based youth work. The report examined seven Muslim-run initiatives across cities from London to Edinburgh, which collectively engage more than 45,000 young people each year.
Researchers found that the projects deliver a return of £5.30 for every £1 invested, through reduced criminal justice costs, improved mental health, higher school attendance, and lower reoffending rates.
One case study in the report features Yusuf, a teenager who turned away from violence after faith-based mentoring. Now a youth mentor himself, he said: “We’re not just keeping kids off the streets, we’re helping them heal, grow and lead. But we can’t do it alone. We need policymakers to see us, fund us and work with us.”
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The report notes that many Muslim-led initiatives operate from mosques, community centres, and youth hubs — spaces that public services often struggle to reach. Their programmes combine mentoring, counselling, parental engagement, and employment support.
However, Equi warned that the potential of these groups remains underused. With more than 1,000 mosques across the UK, many with underutilised facilities, there is scope to expand their youth work.
The report also pointed to funding challenges and a lack of data that has left faith-based organisations overlooked in national policy evaluations.
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Equi urged government departments and local authorities to recognise faith-led groups as partners in public health and community safety.
Managing Director Javed Khan said: “This is not just a moral imperative, it’s a fiscal one. We have evidence these programmes work — the question is whether policymakers will invest in what’s already saving lives and money.”
Source: Agencies
