Award Packages & Applying for Lead The Change
The Lead the Change programme aims to support people who are passionate about meeting social need but require help to make their dreams a reality. We offer two award packages which provide funding along with one-to-one support from an Award Manager:
Award Packages:
TRY IT AWARD
This award offers small amounts of funding of up to £500, for individuals to try out their ideas. This might mean finding out if their idea is viable, learning more about what is needed and trying the project on a small scale first.
The Award provides an opportunity for individuals not yet used to managing large sums of money or planning larger projects to take the first steps towards starting their own project and gaining the skills needed to run it. The funding enables individuals to progress at their own pace with the right support to develop the entrepreneurial skills they will require to, in some cases, take on larger projects.
DO IT AWARD
This award offers up to £2,500 to allow individuals to grow an entrepreneurial idea. Do It Awards are for individuals that are confident their project will work and have the basic skills to do it. Award Winners who have completed Try It Awards may now feel confident enough and have honed their ideas to be able to develop their project.
Other people may come straight in at this level as they demonstrate they have the energy and skills to take forward an idea that has some project planning already in place.
Eligibility and Criteria
We will be seeking applications from individual who are 16+, live in the Western Area and have an idea for a venture that must:
- Have a real social impact
- Fulfil a clear need and demand
- Have clear outputs and goals
- Provide a learning experience or opportunity
Ideas and ventures are not eligible for an Award if they:
- Are part of your paid employment
- Involve political or religious campaigning
- Involve activities outside of the law or against public policy, or anything that encourages ethnic, religious or commercial disharmony
- Involve employing people other than yourself to carry out most of the work
- Are mainly for people to achieve academic qualifications
- Are to fund living expenses
Express Your Interest
The call for applications to the Lead the Change Awards is now closed.
Frequently Asked Questions, click here.
