YOUNG PLACEMAKERS
We’re excited to announce the launch of Southampton National Park City's "Young Placemakers" Programme, a new initiative for 2025. Delivered as part of the YouCAN partnership and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, this programme is designed to inspire, upskill, and resource Southampton’s young and emerging community leaders to become change agents in their local neighbourhoods.
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Why become a young pLacemaker?​
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to grow the emerging passion you have for grassroots action, providing you with the skills, knowledges and connections you need to affect positive change. Specifically, by the end of the programme you will have received opportunities to:
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Nurture your passion, talent, and drive to lead eco-social change and make a real impact in your community.
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Gain the knowledge and skills to lead community projects on climate action, biodiversity, and social change.
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Learn to assess community needs and ensure your project addresses local environmental and social challenges.
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Collaborate with experienced organisers, sharing wisdom and fresh perspectives.
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Develop a community-led project with clear goals around urban biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainability.
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Build leadership and project management skills to plan and deliver a successful initiative.
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Join a network of local changemakers dedicated to creating a greener, more sustainable Southampton.​​
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Who can participate?​
For the first year of this project, we are pleased to offer up to twelve places on this scheme. The following outlines some of the key attributes young placemakers should be able to demonstrate to participate in this years' programme.​​
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Age Range: This year's programme is open to those 18+, with priority given to 18-25 year olds. Applications from those 26+ may be considered based on circumstances.
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Location: Should reside in Southampton full-time or for the majority of the year.
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Priority areas: We will be prioritising applications from those who live, and want to develop projects within, areas of high nature-deprivation (specific areas TBC)
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Eco-social interest: A demonstrated passion for local environmental and/or social issues
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Community focus: Interest in making a positive impact within your local community, particularly in areas related to biodiversity, sustainability, climate resilience and social justice
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Willingness to Learn: Openness to learning new skills, acquiring knowledge, and developing as a community leader/organiser
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Time Commitment: Willingness to commit to the programme’s duration (6 - 9 months, starting approximately March 2025), including attending regular mentorship sessions, workshops, and actively participating in project development.
We are also currently accepting applications for mentors, find out more here.
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​What does the programme involve?​
You will be learning throughout, and putting your skills into action to engage your community and put your placemaking skills into action. Working closely with an experienced mentor throughout the programme, you will take on some self-directed learning tasks, all of which are designed to support you to design, develop, propose and deliver a community project. The project you develop, once approved, will be funded by Southampton National Park City up to a value of £600.
Based upon tools and explorations generated through the learning opportunities within this programme, the projects you design will be responsive to the opportunities and needs within your own local community. The programme culminates in the implementation of your project, which will ultimately contribute to a greener, more connected and sustainable Southampton.
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Every young placemaker who completes the programme will receive a certificate of completion, as well as be invited to showcase their final project at a celebratory event.
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​What are the timeframes?
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We appreciate that everyone (yourself and your mentor) has different schedules and additional commitments. Additionally, some projects may have further timing requirements (e.g. seasons if you are wanting to deliver a growing project). Because of this we are not expecting you to follow strict timeframes for this project, but to go at a pace that suits you.
However, all stages of the programme must be completed by 30 November 2025 at which point you are asked to provide your learnings from your project, and participate in the Young Placemakers showcase in December 2025.
Below outlines the key four stages of the programme, and offers some suggestions regarding planning out your time, based on a suggested minimum of 4 hours per week.
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Ready to sign up?
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We are currently welcoming applications for the Young Placemakers programme. To be considered, please get these to us by end of day on Sunday 9 Feb 2025.
To apply, please complete the application form via the link below to describe your interest in the programme and why you feel you will be a good fit. The form should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
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We aim to get back to all applicants as soon as possible after the closing date. However the latest you can expect to hear from us will be 2 March 2025.
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Get in touch
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If you would have any questions or would otherwise like an informal conversation before submitting your application, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us via our website, or email at southampton@nationalparkcity.org.
