We are bringing back the award-winning Ideas Made Real!
Are you aged 16-24? Have you got a social action idea you’d like to bring to life? Something that would make a positive change or impact in your community?
If so – we want to hear from you!
Ideas Made Real is an exciting and unique opportunity for young people (aged 16-24) across the West Midlands to turn their awesome idea for a social action project into a reality. What are YOU passionate about?
You could…
Applications for our next cohort open on 17th August 2026!
United By 2022 select a range of projects that have the potential to make a big difference to local communities in the West Midlands.
Shortlisted applicants are invited to our exciting PowerPlan weekend to join training, workshops and fun activities, meeting new people along the way. Next up you’ll pitch your idea to our very own panel of judges – Dragon’s Den style!
Each winning idea will receive up to £5,000 and have direct support from a member of the United By 2022 team. You will receive further support from a local organisation who will help you to deliver your project.
Applications open for the new cohort on 17th August 2026 – read the FAQs and follow the link below to apply!
We think we’ve answered most of the questions you might have, so check them out!
Have we missed something? Contact us and we’ll be in touch to answer your query.
The Ideas Made Real award is an opportunity for young people (aged 16-24) to apply for funding to carry out a social action project that will benefit communities within the West Midlands. Successful applicants will be supported by our team at United By 2022 Charity and partnered with a supporting organisation who will help them to deliver their project and make a difference.
Youth social action refers to the activities undertaken by young people to make a positive difference to others or the environment they live in.
There are lots of ways in which you can do this, including formal activities (like volunteering at a local charity shop) or informal activities (like tutoring a younger student at your school).
Other types of social action include fundraising (collecting money or resources) and campaigning (speaking out about issues that matter to you).
Young people don’t have to try and save the world on their own. Taking positive actions to improve your home, school, or neighbourhood can help to improve lives and solve problems within your community.
You might already be doing a form of social action without even realising it!
Each successful applicant will receive an award of up to £5000 to bring their project to life.
At this point though, don’t worry too much about how much your project will receive – it’s more important to come up with ideas that will make a difference in your community. Our team will be on hand to help you create a budget plan!
Feel free to use the examples below as inspiration, but remember, we’re looking for unique ideas that reflect your interests and make a positive difference in your community.
Project themes depend on where you live:
Example Ideas:
Birmingham
Solihull
Coventry
Definitely! In fact, the type of projects that we are looking for are those based on something that you are really passionate about.
If there is something in your life that brings you joy, it probably has the power to make a positive difference to others too.
For instance, if you are a member of your school’s basketball team, could you find a way of making basketball inclusive for young people who haven’t had the chance to experience the sport before?
Young people who live, work and/or study in one of the following areas (from the date of application until 31st March 2027) can have their idea considered as part of the Ideas Made Real programme:
Your project must be delivered in, and mostly benefit communities in one of these areas.
Yes! We accept individual or group applications (with a maximum of 5 people per group). All applicants must be 16–24 years old.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by 14th September and will be required at our PowerPlan weekend on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September. During the PowerPlan weekend, you will undergo training to enhance your budgeting, marketing, and presentation skills. You will take part in fun activities and meet other likeminded young people before presenting your idea to our panel of community leaders and young people.
The panel will select the successful applicants, each of whom will receive up to £5,000 of funding to deliver their project between September 2026 and March 2027.
You will find out that you have been shortlisted on 14th September, but don’t worry, you are not expected to create your full project with budgets and a project plan! You just need your idea and some thoughts on how you want to do it. A member of the United By 2022 team will be in touch with helpful guidance and all the tools and info you need to prepare for the PowerPlan weekend. You will have enough time and support during the PowerPlan weekend to create your final pitch.
Absolutely! Every Ideas Made Real participant will be supported by our team at United By 2022. We will help you bring your idea to life and keep your project on track.
You will also be matched with a supporting organisation who will help you deliver, budget and review your project. They will hold and spend the money on your behalf, in line with your project plan. This is due to legal and safeguarding reasons.
Download the full terms and conditions and our privacy notice.
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