Applications are now open for Changemakers in Turbulent Times, a unique 10-week programme with seed grant opportunities and renowned speakers, designed to support and connect people working for social change in the UK.

The National Lottery-funded programme is being run in six pilot cities – Belfast, Glasgow, Bradford, Slough, Newham in London, and Cardiff- with eight participants in each city. Activists, community leaders, people working for social organisations or emergent changemakers are encouraged to apply.

Designed by the Plan for Peace team, the programme features well-known guest speakers including activists and changemakers such as Jean Paul Lederach, an iconic name in conflict transformation, Rob Deeks, a well-known youth activist, Jo Berry, an inspirational speaker, Selina Hayles, founder of Refuweegee and more.

Each city will also be supported by a local Community Connector. Themes covered include transforming anger, heart-led leadership and how to speak truth to power.

“Changemakers In Turbulent Times is designed very specifically for this moment, when we’re all being asked to respond to the challenges of our times in creative ways,” says programme lead Jo Berry, who is known for her ground-breaking work in empathy building. “We aim to resource participants, to help them build new connections and to midwife the birth of exciting new projects into the world.”

The programme runs for two hours a week over 10 weeks and is both online and in-person in the selected cities. It’s free to join. Participants who complete the course will be eligible for seed grants of up to £2,000 to be awarded for their own initiatives.

The deadline for applications for the first cohort, which begins March 6, is noon on February 24, 2023.

For more information, please visit planforpeace.org.