Adom – Visions
Young people in Coventry are set to lead four new community initiatives in the city, thanks to funding from United By 2022, the legacy charity of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
As part of United By 2022’s Ideas Made Real programme, the charity has awarded grants to four Coventry-based social action projects, totalling £15,898.
The programme, which is open to those aged 16 to 24, gives young people across the West Midlands the chance to turn their powerful ideas and youth social action projects into reality.
Young project leaders were invited to apply for an Ideas Made Real Award of up to £5,000, with each successful applicant also receiving mentoring and support from United By 2022’s specialist youth team and an assigned partner organisation, to help them deliver their project.
This year, United By 2022 has awarded grants to eight youth-led projects from across the West Midlands – a total investment of £50,000 – to help young people gain vital skills, confidence and volunteering experience while making a tangible difference to their local communities.
Coventry is home to four of this year’s eight successful projects, highlighting the city as a hub for youth creativity and social action.
Successful recipients of funding in Coventry include:
- Amplify – a music project allowing financially vulnerable young artists to mix, master and release their own music for free, with the support of established industry professionals.
- Locks, Keys & Coasts – the short film project ‘Locks, Keys & Coasts’ will transform the narrative from theatre to the big screen.
- Style the Culture, Godiva Afterparty – celebrating black Coventry and West Midlands creatives, this project gives young artists the opportunity to showcase their work and creativity through an open mic event as part of the Godiva Festival.
- Visions – an initiative teaching young people how to use social media as a positive force for influence, and as a tool for personal empowerment and career development.
Nicola Turner, CEO of United By 2022, said:
“We’re proud to support these vital social action projects, which give young people in Coventry the chance to use their creativity, skills and energy to give back to their local communities. From music and film to storytelling and social media, each initiative provides opportunities for participants to make positive change, while connecting with other like-minded young people.
“At United By 2022, we’re strong advocates for local communities, young people and volunteers, and the Ideas Made Real initiative provides crucial mentorship and investment to help youth projects take flight. We hope this dedicated funding in Coventry will drive forward real social impact across the city – to the benefit of communities and individuals most in need.”
Ross, project leader for Amplify, said:
“I’m really grateful to the United By 2022 team for the funding and the opportunity to work on this project. Amplify will provide young people with the chance to create their own music for free at Powerhouse Studios with the support of leading industry professionals. This funding will help break down financial barriers for more young people across the region, and I’m looking forward to seeing the results of everyone’s hard work soon.”
The United By 2022 Ideas Made Real campaign is open to young people aged 16 to 24, living in the seven local authorities of the West Midlands – Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry, Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Since its initial launch in 2022, a total of 44 community projects have been funded by the programme, supporting 48 young people in bringing their social action ideas to life.
For more information on United By 2022, visit www.unitedby2022.com.
