In our early days, we focused on listening. We met inspiring organisations, explored unmet needs, and asked how we could make a meaningful contribution. One organisation that stood out was Big Change. Their ethos of seeing the potential in young people, and their commitment to long-term systems change felt like a natural fit. Our alignment crystallised when we learned about Big Change’s  next major initiative: the Spark Awards, uncannily close to our own motto, ‘Sparking Joy’. In October 2024, our board approved funding for the Big Change Spark Awards, and our partnership is already sparking powerful momentum.

Through the Spark Awards, Big Change provides funding and support to 18 to 25-year-olds, living in England, who have pilot-ready projects that reimagine how we create positive social change for all young people. 

This is more than funding, it's a chance for young leaders with a vision to grow, connect, and drive meaningful change. Award recipients receive up to £40,000 in grant funding, along with a 12-month tailored learning and development programme run in partnership with The Young Foundation. This includes one-to-one coaching, peer learning, residentials, and masterclasses, designed to support young changemakers as they explore, lead, and bring new ideas to life.

After the launch of the Spark Awards for Big Changemakers many in our team were eager to get involved.

Our founder, Lorenzo Innocenti, volunteered his time to review submissions, alongside colleagues Rita Basra and Julia Ray. Lorenzo found assessing the awards to be an inspiring reminder of why the Foundation exists.

One particular application which at first seemed far-fetched but on closer review revealed itself as deeply innovative, moved him: “It reminded me how crucial it is to stay open-minded, some of the most impactful ideas can be misunderstood if we rush to judge.”

For Lorenzo, this is more than a funding programme. “In a world full of distractions, when a young person shows focus and drive, that deserves attention. This process creates the spark that can turn that drive into something transformative.”

His fellow assessor, Rita Basra, has been part of the Foundation’s journey from the start, and she found many of the ideas resonated and left a lasting impression.

Julia Ray, bringing a background in finance and mentoring, also loved being involved as an assessor: “Young people see things more clearly sometimes. We risk losing great ideas if we don’t support them early.” She was particularly struck by one application which opened her eyes to shocking child poverty in Manchester. “I hadn’t realised how bad it was”. 

Creating lasting change

From hosting Big Change at our February 2025 launch to Lorenzo now exploring ways to deepen the relationship, including joining Big Change’s Strive expedition across India, our partnership continues to deepen and grow.

Looking ahead, Lorenzo is excited by the potential: “What would really take it to the next level is having someone walk with these young people beyond the funding, to help sustain or scale what they’ve built.” 

At the heart of the Awards is our founding principle, as Lorenzo describes: “Sparking joy isn’t just a motto, it’s a mission. It’s about igniting energy, agency, and resilience in young people, especially those who’ve had it tough. It’s the engine spark that sets positive change in motion.”

Our collaboration with Big Change is a reminder that when we trust young people and invest in their ideas, we don’t just spark joy, we spark systems change. 

And we’re only just getting started.