inspiring
young people
to change
their world
Quick project links
We’re supporting young people to become active citizens - opening up ways for them to change their world for the better, through Co-operative education, opportunities and campaigning.
Our work is set to directly benefit 250,000 young people across the UK, but our vision is far higher – we want to help bring about a cultural shift in the way that young people are viewed and treated in this country.
In these web pages, you'll find out how we’re working towards this vision for change. And more importantly, you’ll read about the young people we’re working with, who, little by little, are undergoing their own revolutions to change their world.
As part of our new revolutionary Ethical Operating Plan:
• We are committed to investing in the Inspiring Young People programme and plan to establish a Co-operative Academy that will create 2,000 apprenticeships.
• We will broaden the work of the Co-operative Enterprise Hub and offer advice and training to support young people who wish to start up co-operative businesses.
• We will support the establishment of 200 Co-operative Schools, drive forward our Green Schools programme which reaches some 100,000 children per annum and continue to campaign for Votes at 16 and demonstrate how young people are ready, able and willing to be more fully engaged.
• We will create an advisory panel of young members who will inform a newly appointed Board Champion for young people.
Find out more - Join the Revolution.
education
We're putting co-operative values at the heart of school-life. And, whether visiting a Co-operative farm or seeing renewable energy in action, we're helping young people to discover a passion for the environment.
education - more on education
opportunities
From gaining qualifications, experience and self-belief to bringing about change in their community, we're offering opportunities for young people to make tangible differences to their lives.
opportunities - more on opportunities
campaigning
Given the chance, young people have the creativity and vision to affect tremendous change. So we're involving them in all of our campaigns and supporting their call to lower the voting age to 16.
campaigning - more on campaigning
This short film unveils our plans to inspire young people to change their world through co-operative education, opportunities and campaigning...
Video transcript – Inspiring Young People
Background
Shackled with the legacy of national debt, an increasingly rickety property ladder and an uncertain future shaped by climate change, it’s a challenging time to be a young person in Britain. 95% of the members who took part in a survey to help shape The Co-operative’s Community Plan agreed that young people deserve our support.
Quick project links: The Co-operative Apprenticeship Academy; The Co-operative Schools; Green Schools; Green Energy for Schools; From Farm to Fork; Walking Buses; Energy Works; Sustainable Tourism for Schools; Truth about Youth; The Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers; The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy; The Co-operative Film Festival; Votes at 16