Rural Youth Project launches Big Ideas Workshops

Rural young people with a new business or social enterprise idea, or working on an established project, that will benefit themselves and their local community will have access to a series of workshops held across Scotland in April and May, launched today by the Rural Youth Project.

The Big Ideas Workshops are a series of five innovative events in Angus, Perth and Kinross, Scottish Borders, Lanarkshire and the Outer Hebrides. Focused on developing participants’ leadership, enterprise and activism skills to help young people, aged 18-28, kick-start, or progress, a business, community or social enterprise idea.

Rural Youth Project Director, Rebecca Dawes, said that often young rural people begin with a real passion for a community idea, social enterprise, community project or business, but are unsure how to progress them.

“Whether the idea is a new community group, bold business or an established project, receiving support and advice to ensure you are on the right track is vital. The Big Ideas Workshops are something that will steer young rural people in the right direction and make sure that their project has the best opportunity to succeed.

“The Big Ideas Workshops will be beneficial to not just the young people taking part, but also the wider community. We’re collaborating with local businesses and organisations in each area to ensure that young people are aware of the support available to them, whilst creating a network to support them after the formal programme has finished,” said Ms Dawes.

The first phase of the three-day residential workshops will combine leading experts, inspiring speakers, practical business visits and a formal mentoring programme and will be free-of-charge to attend with delegate travel reimbursed. All accommodation and catering are included.

The workshop’s second phase will bring delegates together the day before the 2020 Ideas Festival in July, hosted in the Scottish Borders, with the opportunity for participants to pitch their idea, showcasing their new skills, to a panel of experienced business leaders and industry professionals.

The Big Ideas Workshops are part of the longer-term programme of the Rural Youth Project to reach out to all areas of Scotland and enable all young people to participate and become the next generation of rural leaders. The Rural Youth Project is funded as a cooperation project by five LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs); Angus, Lanarkshire, Outer Hebrides, Rural Perth and Kinross and the Scottish Borders, under the LEADER Programme 2014-2020: The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas.

Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER Coordinator Sharon Rice-Jones said:“We look forward to the Big Ideas Workshops taking place, supporting rural young people who have a desire to develop enterprise and community initiatives in the rural and remote places they live. Helping young people develop their leadership skills and providing them with mentoring support, giving them the confidence to move forward with their ideas and ambitions.”

Phase One Big Ideas Workshop dates:

Phase Two Big Ideas Workshop:

Young people can register their interest to attend the workshops here.