The Next Generation Awards Scheme is a highly successful Citizenship programme that has been run by the Birmingham Civic Society for the past twenty years. In total over 37,000 young people have participated in the Next Generation Awards since the programme began.
Each year we aim to work with 20 schools and approximately 2000 young people. We were extremely proud to be awarded winners of the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community Category at the Education Awards in 2018 for the Next Generation Awards Programme.
Read our impact case study for the Next Generation Awards.
The Next Generation Awards scheme is an assessed project-based programme designed to meet many of the requirements of the Key Stage 3 Citizenship Curriculum. The programme is FREE to Birmingham Secondary schools wishing to participate, and is usually run with one year group (7, 8 or 9) and completed in around six weeks in the second or third term, involving approximately six hours of class time.
When taking part, participating pupils are encouraged to think positively about how they can work together to help others and address issues affecting people in their communities. They are led through a process of considering issues that affect their communities, researching issues, developing solutions and ultimately a sustainable project to address an issue they feel passionate about.
They develop 5-minute presentations to explain their proposed project. Teams are assessed in school initially, then the strongest from each school is invited to our semi-finals in July. Four of five finalists are then selected that will be invited to present again in October at our NGA Finals.
The strongest team is selected by a panel of judges at our finals each October and is presented with a shield and a check for up to £1500 (courtesy of our sponsors Birmingham Newman University) by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham to put their project into action with mentoring support.
We are keen to get as many young people in Birmingham involved in our Next Generation Awards as possible.
How to apply
Any schools wishing to take part should email nextgenerationawards@
