What is it?
CHANGEit is designed to recognise, support and reward young people who want to, or have already spoken up and taken constructive action about something they want to be improved, changed or created in their community. We are dedicated to continuously encouraging, inspiring and rewarding young campaigners from across the UK.
Who's it for?
If you and all the members in your group are aged between 11 and 18 years, you all live in the UK and have campaigned for something you believe in, or want to start campaigning, you can apply.
Who are the Performance Awards for?
The Performance awards are for young people who have taken action on issues they care about and launched campaigns to create positive change.
Who are the Innovation Awards for?
The Innovation awards are for young people who want to make positive change happen, but need help with the funding and/or the know how to get started.
Who can apply?
The rules for applicants are as follows:
- If you want to apply, you and the members of your group must be based in the UK and must be between 11 and 18-years-old.
- For the Performance category, the activity or campaign you were involved in should have resulted in a long-lasting activity, which made a genuine difference. It could be anything from starting a petition to setting up a campaign group.
- An individual or group can be nominated for CHANGEit. However should a group win, the prize must be shared.
- Your entry must be endorsed by an adult who is not a family member, such as a youth leader, an adult involved in your campaign or a teacher, etc.
- We are keen to encourage entries from young people who have set up, or would like to set up their own campaigns. But young campaigners who are supporting existing causes or organisations are also welcome to apply. The ability to demonstrate an innovative approach is desirable.
- We are eager to receive entries from young people who have not already received any major national or international awards for their work. However, you can still win if you have already received an award for your work.
- Please note: the judges' decision is final!
Who's behind the Awards?
CHANGEit have been created by Common Purpose and Deutsche Bank.
Common Purpose
Common Purpose is an independent educational organisation dedicated to improving the way society works by increasing the number of people who are taking a lead in community and public life. Common Purpose's YourTurn campaign focuses on young people and the Deutsche Bank CHANGEit Awards build on this.
Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank Corporate Social Responsibility UK manages the Bank's employee volunteering programmes, charitable giving and community partnerships, with a particular focus on supporting education, community development and art. In 2007 alone Deutsche Bank made donations of over £3.5m and approximately 1,200 employees volunteered with our community projects in London.
What are the prizes?
All nominations will receive a certificate of recognition. Winners in the Performance category will receive a prize of £750. Winners in the Innovation category will receive £750 for their campaign, plus a mentor to help make their idea into a reality. There are three winners in each category and six runners-up who will receive £250. All finalists and winners will be featured on the CHANGEit website.
How do I apply, or nominate someone?
Nominations for 2008 are currently closed. We will begin accepting nominations for 2009 awards in early autumn. To nominate yourself or someone else, download the form and either fax it back on +44(0)20 7336 684, email it to changeit@commonpurpose.org.uk or post the form to CHANGEit Awards, c/o Common Purpose, Discovery House, 28-42 Banner Street, London EC1Y 8QE.
Can groups apply?
Yes, we will accept an application form from a group. However should they go on to win, the prize would be shared.
When will I know if my nomination/application has won?
All nominations will be reviewed by a short-listing team. Nine will be selected as finalists for each category and these will then go before a judging panel. Short-listed nominations will be notified one month after the application deadline.
What happens if I am short-listed?
Performance Award short-listed should expect a visit from the CHANGEit manager, who meet to talk through your campaign in greater depth. You will also be expected to provide materials that can be used in the judging process and for the award ceremony. Posters you used, newspaper clippings, photos and videos etc are all useful for the judges when they are making their decisions.
If you are short-listed for the Innovation Awards you will be asked to attend a workshop in Central London where you will delve deeper into your ideas and shape a plan to take that idea or your project forward. The day will cover training on the skills needed for campaigning, team-working and presentation skills. As a finalist you will also be set the task of keeping a blog about your campaign experiences so we can track the campaign progress. At the awards ceremony you will be asked to give a brief presentation of your campaign to a panel of judges in a "Dragon's Den" style pitch.
When is the Awards Ceremony?
The ceremony for the finalists of both the Performance Awards and the Innovation Awards will be held annually during the spring in central London.