Member Article

ICT challenge clicks with region's young people

A youth technology and innovation initiative, which is bringing £150,000 worth of investment to the region, is about to be rolled out across the North East. The Big Ideas ICT Youth Challenge project encourages young people aged 12 to 20 to develop innovative information and technology ideas that have the potential to become commercially viable ventures. Over the coming months, the Big Ideas team will be visiting schools, colleges and community youth groups in the region to introduce the project and to run Idea Generation workshops. Initial entries for the youth challenge will be considered by a team of judges. The teams with the best and most innovative ideas will then be invited to present them to a panel of industry experts. The panel will select a short list of 35 teams and provide specialist advice and support to help them develop their ideas. Five finalists will then be selected to attend a residential five-day “Hot House” event and produce project adverts with the judging based on teamwork, innovation and product feasibility. Developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and funded by NESTA, the National Endowment for Science and Technology and the Arts, the programme will commence in early 2007. It is being delivered in the North East by delivered by the Big Ideas Facility at the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC). Helen Gresty, executive director of Innovation programmes at NESTA, said: “The ICT Youth Challenge and Big Ideas is a terrific opportunity for young individuals across the North East to take part in a programme where their entrepreneurial talent can be nurtured and encouraged from the start.” For further information about the Big Ideas ICT Youth Challenge project please contact Lisa Smith or Julian Butler on 0191 516 6075 or visit www.bigideasyouthchallenge.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .