7th September 2021
Called Positive Disruptors, the competition is open to young people living in Allerdale or Copeland and aged between 10 and 25 who want to “positively disrupt” their communities.
Based on a similar initiative run by the Hunter Foundation, the aim of the programme is to empower young people to ‘positively disrupt’ the status quo, to give them a platform to be heard and to break down the barriers for aspiring young entrepreneurs. It is looking to back young people who have ambition and the courage to take that ambition on.
Developed by Cumbria Community Foundation, Positive Disruptors is funded by Cumbrian property developer, Brian Scowcroft, with match funding from Sellafield Ltd as part of its Transforming West Cumbria programme, LLWR, Well Whitehaven, Morgan Sindall and Kaefer.
Annalee Holliday, Senior Grants & Programmes Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “It is very encouraging to see more funding allocated to creating opportunities after what has been a very challenging time. Positive Disruptors will have an incredible impact on young people, empowering them to develop their ideas that will benefit their peers, their communities and young people of the future.”
Ten successful entrants will each be awarded £1,000 to help them realise their ambition. As well as receiving the grant, the Foundation has teamed up with the Centre for Leadership Performance to provide the young disruptors with six months of support, including a series of workshops, expert advice, mentoring and opportunities to shadow local entrepreneurs to help bring their idea to life.
Catherine Eve, Executive Director, at the Centre for Leadership Performance, said: “We are delighted to be working with Cumbria Community Foundation, the programme promotes self-belief, vision, efficacy, collaboration and resilience; a perfect development platform for young people to develop leadership skills, find their voice and promote ideas that will positively disrupt their community and lead to innovation and improvement.”
Any potential positive disruptors now have an eight-week period to develop their ideas and apply by 10th Jan 2022. An advisory panel will meet to review all entries and winners will be announced.
ENTER HERE: Positive Disruptors Application Form 2021/22
For information, click here.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor to help and encourage these young people to prosper, complete an application form, no later than 1st October 2021 or contact annalee@cumbriafoundation.org for more information.