Unlike other awards, we’re not concerned about your exam marks, academic achievements or how many GCSE’s you have. (Don’t get us wrong…education is REALLY important!) But, at CHANGEit, the focus is more on the kinds of activities you do and the ways in which you have an impact on the world around you. Do you spend your time winge-ing? Or do you volunteer in the community, mentor a peer, fundraise for charity or find creative ways to turn negatives into positives? Taking part in or leading activities that have a positive impact on your community means you’re changing the way society works and building a better future for everyone. It’s that kind of activity CHANGEit wants to recognise and reward!

So if you’re taking action, want to get involved or are interested in showing the world the change you see around you – get involved with CHANGEit! We have training, support and cash prizes of up to £750 to award to finalists in three categories:

• Innovation – for people who have an idea to improve their community but need training or support to get started
• Performance – to celebrate the achievements of young people who have already taken positive action in their local areas.
• Photography – young people’s photos that capture campaigning in action or images that illustrate the change you see in the world around you

Don’t miss out! It doesn’t matter what kind of action you’re taking, if it’s positive, creative and having an impact we want to make sure you get the recognition you deserve. The deadline to send in your ideas, photographs and campaigning successes is 11 December 2009.

Rajeeb Dey was a finalist in the 2004 Spotlight awards (the awards Common Purpose and Deutsche Bank ran just before we started CHANGEit in 2008). Later, he went on to found ESSA, the English Secondary Students’ Association, an organisation that works to give young people a voice. And more recently, he’s been working on Enternships.com, fantastic new way of connecting new enterprising organisations, with bright young talent.

Enternships.com gives students and graduates the opportunity to build employability skills by working with the world’s most cutting edge entrepreneurs and start-ups. Every corporate values entrepreneurial work experience on candidates CVs, while some of the most talented and creative minds have ultimately chosen the entrepreneurial route. Whether you want to learn how to be the next Steve Jobs or Richard Branson, or simply have a CV that stands out from the rest – check out Enternships. You never know what opportunities might be available!

Just goes to show you how young people can make a difference, Raj has been doing it for years, and you can do it too (perhaps with a bit of help from ESSA, Enternships or CHANGEit!)

CHANGEit is looking for photos of young people and ‘campaigning in action’. We want to see all the great things young people are doing so we can help spread the word! Is there a volunteer group in your area that is making positive change? Do you have a friend who has taken action to change something in their school, club or community? Do you participate in campaign activities? Take your camera or borrow someone elses and get snapping!

CHANGEit has prizes of £250 for winning entries and will display all finalist photos at an exhibition in central London and online.

It’s a terrific opportunity! Find out more about the photography contest.