An 11-day learning journey for 100 young entrepreneurs is looking for participants from across the UK who have ideas to improve their communities with the arts or enterprise. 

New youth charity ‘Drivers for Change’ are running an 11-day journey this summer for 100 young entrepreneurs. The project aims to inspire young people to take ownership of driving change in their communities. They will be launching from Liverpool this June and travelling to 8 towns and cities in the UK, before finishing in London with a reception at the House of Lords. They are currently looking for young entrepreneurs from across the UK to take part.

The participants will form a group of 100 motivated future leaders - aged 18-26 - and together go an 11-day learning journey around the UK. While on the journey each participant will get leadership and enterprise skills training and support to develop a social enterprise or community project plan.  

Over the 11 days the participants will visit towns and cities in England, Scotland and Wales and meet a variety of inspirational role models that are working to make their communities thrive. By exploring innovative practice and developing skills, the young entrepreneurs will gain a greater understanding of how they can create social impact within their own communities.

Jude Kelly CBE, outgoing Artistic Director at Southbank Centre and Founder of the Women of the World Festival, sits on the board of Drivers for Change and said:

“If you are going to change communities, you have to bring creativity, imagination and a sense of what the future can be. We believe there are hundreds or even thousands of young people who, given the opportunity can make the UK so much better”

Also on the board is Richard Collier-Keywood who recently retired from his position as Global Vice-Chairman at PwC after 30 years with the firm. Drivers for Change is one of the projects he is focussing on since retiring. He said:

“Drivers for Change will bring together 100 of the most passionate young people who are committed to changing society for the better. On the journey we’ll visit entrepreneurs, artists and activists and see real examples of what can be achieved by ordinary people. It will be an inspiring and challenging 11-days.”

Drivers for Change is a charity and this project is heavily subsidised through partnership funding from British Council and PwC. Along with 80 participants from the UK, 20 will come from the following five countries - Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia, South Africa and Egypt, thanks to British Council funding.

Participants are asked to attempt to fundraise a contribution of £250 towards their place.

Applications to join the journey can be made via their website.

Applications close 26 March.