Birmingham Newman University Hosts Next Generation Awards Semi-Finals 

30/07/2024 by Newman Staff
Next Gen awards semi-finals 2024

Birmingham Newman University recently had the honor of hosting the semi-finals of the prestigious Next Generation Awards, an event dedicated to fostering the talents of young local students and encouraging them to develop ideas that can improve society. This event showcased the creativity and commitment of local students, as they presented innovative ideas aimed at making a positive impact on their communities. 

Encouraging Positive Change and Community Engagement 

The Next Generation Awards Scheme is an inclusive, project-based programme designed for 11-14-year-olds and is run within Birmingham schools. For nearly two decades, the programme has been a cornerstone of the Birmingham Civic Society‘s efforts to engage young people in citizenship and community service. The scheme aims to develop a wide range of skills among participants, including team-working, ICT, presentation, creative writing, and problem solving, while also nurturing their enthusiasm for positive change and active citizenship. 

The Path to the Semi-Finals 

This year, the programme has seen participation from over 20 new schools and groups, involving more than 2,000 additional young people. Over 36,000 students have participated in the Next Generation Awards since the programme began. The semi-finals held at Birmingham Newman University were a crucial step in the journey for these young participants, who have been working diligently on their projects throughout the school year. 

Andrew Edgar, Senior Lecturer in Education Studies at Birmingham Newman University said: “The Next Generation awards provide a wonderful opportunity for pupils to consider the changing world around them and identify sustainable solutions that will have lasting impact on their communities.” 

Next Gen awards semi-finals 2024

Showcasing Innovative Ideas 

During the semi-finals, students presented their proposals to an assessment panel, showcasing their innovative ideas to address various community issues. The teams were assessed on their ability to identify relevant issues, conduct thorough research, and develop actionable proposals.  

Speaking about the awards, Dr Linda Enow, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader at Birmingham Newman University commented, “The range of topics covered by the students participating in the Next Generation awards demonstrates the depth of knowledge and understanding which young people have about contemporary issues in their local communities. The Next Generation Civic Society Awards offers a platform for their creative, empathetic and innovative solutions to be researched, trialled and hopefully, if selected, implemented. These solutions will change lives and their impact will reverberate across their local communities and the wider Birmingham area. Our city is in great hands with the next generation”.  

The Newman Prize 

The strongest team from the semi-finals will advance to the finals, where they will compete for £1,500 in prize money, generously donated by Birmingham Newman University. The winning team will receive the prize money to turn their idea into a working project, as well as mentoring support to help execute their project. The goal of the prize is to help these young visionaries bring their ideas to life and make a tangible difference in their local communities. 

Next Gen awards semi-finals 2024

As winners of the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category at the Education Awards in 2018, the Next Generation Awards continue to inspire and empower young citizens. By providing a platform for these students to voice their ideas and aspirations, the programme highlights the importance of youth involvement in community development.

Looking Ahead 

As the programme moves towards the finals, the anticipation and excitement continue to build. The feedback from schools participating in the scheme has been overwhelmingly positive, with students expressing pride and satisfaction in their achievements. The highest quality entries will not only compete for the cash prize but will also be presented to relevant departments of the Birmingham City Council for consideration, potentially influencing future community initiatives. 

As the finalists prepare for the next stage of the competition, Birmingham Newman University looks forward to hosting the finals in October and seeing their ideas come to fruition, confident that these young minds will contribute significantly to the future development of the city. 

Watch the 2023 Next Generation Awards Finals