The Overview

Gen22's Ideas Made Real campaign has given young people 16-24, across the West Midlands, the chance to turn their powerful ideas and youth social action projects into a reality. With an Ideas Made Real Award of up to £10,000 and support from Gen22's specialist team, the funding would kick-start their own volunteer journeys, making a difference to the lives of residents living across the region through the power of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Reach

Over 3,000 young people from across the West Midlands we've introduced to youth social action over a 6-week period, through youth groups, schools, online sessions, and workshops, capturing their ideas on what they would like to change in their local communities or how they could improve the things around them for their own communities.

After an incredible response, and over 50 applications later - The Ideas Made Real team shortlisted down the projects to 22 successful campaigns that have been funded through the first and inaugural Ideas Made Real Award programme.

The Judges

Successfully shortlisted projects were invited into Games HQ, to pitch their ideas to panels made up of young people from our inaugural Gen22 Consultation Group, inspirational young people from across the region, and influencers, who supported with the decision-making process, and ultimately decided which 22 projects would be the first to be funded through the programme.

The Successful 22

You'll find a little bit more about some of the projects that have been funded below. A complete list of our projects, and what Ideas Made Real have funded can be requested by emailing: gen22@birmingham2022.com