Positive Enterprise
Positive Enterprise is a competition open to young people living in Furness and West Cumbria, aged between 14 and 25 who have a business idea they want to turn into a reality.
Young people can win up to £1,000, which could be used to pay for things like equipment, materials, stock and services to help get their business up and running.
Now in its fourth year, Positive Enterprise has so far helped young people launch successful businesses in arts and crafts, clothing, gardening services and many more areas.
Developed by Cumbria Community Foundation and delivered in partnership with Centre for Leadership Performance, Positive Enterprise was initially funded by Cumbrian property developer Brian Scowcroft, with match funding from Sellafield Ltd as part of the Transforming West Cumbria programme, alongside Nuclear Waste Services, Well Whitehaven, Morgan Sindall, and Kaefer. This year, funding comes from Sellafield Ltd, Thomas Graham & Sons Ltd, the Printers Inc Social Mobility Fund and a private donor.
How to apply
Applications are open now until 5pm on Friday 9 January. Please fill in the relevant application form:
Information sessions
Join our free online information sessions to find out more about the programme, learn about the applications process and hear from past participants.
Wednesday 26 November, 5.30-6.30pm – Sign up
Wednesday 10 December, 5.30-6.30pm – Sign up
Become a mentor
We are also looking for volunteer business mentors for the programme. Would you like to pass on your skills and experience to help shape the next generation of entrepreneurs? Mentoring sessions are typically between one and two hours, once a month, for up to six months. Apply here.
Programme aims
The Positive Enterprise programme aims to:
- give young people aged 14-25 years in West Cumbria the opportunity to have their ideas and ambitions heard and the potential to have them realised
- challenge young people to think creatively and in more enterprising ways
- empower young people to be heard
- support young people to test out their enterprising ideas
- break down the barriers for aspiring young entrepreneurs, by developing an enterprising culture based on encouragement and support
Watch this video to learn more:
