Called Positive Enterprise, the competition is open to young people living in Allerdale or Copeland and aged between 14 and 25 to help bring their enterprising ideas to life.

The aim of the programme is to empower young people to think differently and break down barriers for aspiring young entrepreneurs. It is looking to back young people who have a social business idea with ambition to make it into a reality.

Developed by Cumbria Community Foundation, Positive Enterprise is funded by Cumbrian property developer, Brian Scowcroft, with match funding from Sellafield Ltd as part of its Transforming West Cumbria programme, LLWR, Well Whitehaven, Morgan Sindall and Kaefer.

Annalee Holliday, Senior Grants & Programmes Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “It is very encouraging to see more funding allocated to creating opportunities after what comes on the back of a very challenging time for young people. Positive Enterprise will help them to develop their ideas that will benefit their peers, their communities and young people of the future.”

Ten successful entrants will each be awarded £1,000 to help them realise their ambition. As well as receiving the grant, the Foundation has teamed up with the Centre for Leadership Performance to provide six months of support, including a series of workshops, expert advice, mentoring and opportunities to shadow local entrepreneurs.

Catherine Eve, Executive Director, at the Centre for Leadership Performance, said: “We are delighted to be working with Cumbria Community Foundation, the programme promotes self-belief, vision, efficacy, collaboration and resilience; a perfect development platform for young people to develop leadership skills, find their voice and promote ideas that will positively disrupt their community and lead to innovation and improvement.”

Any potential positive disruptors now have an five-week period to develop their ideas and apply by 5pm on Monday 9th January 2022. An advisory panel will meet to review all entries and winners will be announced at the end of January.

For information on how to enter:

https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/transforming-west-cumbria/positive-enterprise