An initiative tackling youth unemployment, another addressing climate anxiety, and one building community power among young Muslim people are just three of the youth-led, youth-supporting programmes set for a massive boost from the Spark Awards programme.
Charity Big Change – co-founded by entrepreneur Holly Branson and friends in 2012 – launched the Spark Awards earlier this year, inviting 18- to 25-year-olds in England to apply for funding of up to £40k to bring their ideas to life.
Award-winners will also benefit from a 12 month-learning and development support programme, delivered in partnership with The Young Foundation, helping them refine their ideas and build their innovation skillset. This includes one-to-one coaching, residential-based learning, virtual workshops, and masterclasses, with a final celebration gathering at the end of the programme.
Working to help create a world where all young people thrive, the six Spark Award recipients are:
- NEUROMANCERS, one of the first UK based peer-led, consent-based online help chat for neurodivergent+ young people.
- Room Too, aims to transform overlooked and underused spaces into safe and inspiring personal development hubs for young people living in overcrowded housing.
- WEEE Renew a youth-led initiative tackling the urgent issue of youth unemployment through digital inclusion and corporate e-waste recycling
- Climate Courage, Climate Live, a programme helping young people transform their climate anxiety into action through music, art, and storytelling.
- Be the change. Media Academy, a programme that aims to equip young people aged 13 to 25 with the skills to challenge disinformation and create ethical, impactful media.
- Muslim Social Justice Initiative (MSJI), a youth-led project building community power among Muslim and Global Majority young people in Manchester.
Essie North, CEO of Big Change, said:
We’re delighted to have had so many inspiring applicants for the Spark Awards, and the six we have chosen to award grants to really show a determination and commitment to making a difference.”
Holly Branson, co-founder and trustee of Big Change, and Chief Purpose and Vision Officer at Virgin Group said:
Young people too often struggle to get taken seriously or have access to funding and networks to make change a reality. The Spark Awards exist to change this by investing in visionary young leaders to drive the powerful, systemic changes needed to create a world where all young people can truly thrive.”
The Young Foundation’s Director of Innovation, Daniel Farag, says:
The quality of applicants to the Spark Awards has been phenomenal, with young people sharing outstanding ideas that have huge potential to change lives and reshape systems. We at The Young Foundation are excited to work with Big Change as the learning and support partner on this generous and visionary programme, sharing our experience and approach with young changemakers, and working together to explore new and better ways to meet societal challenges.”
The awards were made possible because of the funding, support, and collaboration from Virgin Unite, The Ferdinando & Luigi Innocenti Foundation, and a community of generous supporters.
For more information, visit Big Change | Spark Awards for Big Changemakers and https://www.bethechangemedianetwork.com
Education and employment Families and youth Innovation and Investment Systems change Posted on: 30 September 2025