Think Big

Social action through investment in young people

Think Big, is an ambitious new five million pound scheme designed to back young people making a difference in their communities. Research shows that 46 per cent of adults believe there is a negative view of young people in society. To help counter this perception, this innovative social action programme will inspire and celebrate young people by putting £300 directly in their hands. In addition to the cash, young people will receive training, support and mentoring in partnership with some of the UK's leading youth charities to help tackle the issues that really matter to them.

Think Big has been developed in conjunction with two of the UK's leading youth charities, National Youth Agency and UK Youth, and with the support of the Telefónica Foundation, accessing its world class expertise in social action to support children and young people.

Young people aged between 13 and 25 will be able to apply for £300 grants to run projects to help their local communities. This could include helping to fight local knife crime, overhauling a community garden, teaching music to other young people or starting a local youth group. The most important thing is that the projects are chosen and run by young people themselves. In addition to the cash injection, the young participants will also benefit from a comprehensive package of training and support: from project management to communications, and from presentation skills to networking. After the initial grant, they will then have the chance to apply for £2,500 to further boost their project. Training and support will be delivered through O2's charity partners.

Find-out more: http://www.o2thinkbig.co.uk/