The Young Foundation has welcomed the inclusion of the UpRising leadership programme in the Communities in Control: Real people, real power White Paper, published today by the Communities and Local Government (CLG) department. UpRising was singled out in the white paper as an example of an innovative new programme that is supporting and developing a new generation of young people to play a greater role in politics and public life.

UpRising, which has been set up by the Young Foundation with the support of v, the youth volunteering charity, is a leadership programme for talented young people from diverse backgrounds especially targeting those from white working class and ethnic minority backgrounds, creating opportunities to form strong ties and work together to serve their communities. It was developed in response to a widespread concern that in many parts of Britain young people lack routes into positions of leadership and power - whether in politics and the public sector, or in business and the third sector. Participants will be supported to take up leadership positions on the boards of charities, schools, colleges, housing associations as well as quangos - all of whom spend billions of public money and are keen to attract fresh talent.

UpRising is initially being piloted in East London with 64 young people (between the ages of 19-25) from Barking & Dagenham, Newham and Tower Hamlets. It will then spread across London and around the country.

To download the Communities in Control White Paper click here

To download the press release click here