New Academy Launches to Empower Wales’ Next Generation of Changemakers

The Open University in Wales is partnering with Bridgend College, the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner, and Unloc, to launch Newid - the Future Generations Changemaker Academy. This initiative is designed to help young people across Wales to lead change and shape a sustainable future, aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act.

The vision of the team behind the Academy’s is to support young people to lead their own futures. By creating opportunities for participants to campaign on the 7 Well-being Goals, the programme will fill a gap for further education learners aged 16–25. This new pathway connects with the national Future Generations Leadership Academy for those aged 18–30, already established by the Commissioner’s office.

Participants will take part in a programme that includes leadership training, critical thinking, and social justice. It will focus on changemaker projects, designed to deliver local and national change, in response to some of the biggest challenges facing young people. It is hoped that a final event will be hosted at the Senedd, where changemakers will showcase their projects.

Beyond personal development, the Academy team committed to diversity, making sure that young people least likely to take part in wider society are given a platform, helping them to  make a real difference and improve issues which matter most to them.

'Shaping a better future for Wales must be an urgent and collective priority and that’s why we’re so proud to support the Newid pilot, an initiative that aligns closely with the long‑term impact we strive to make as a team,' said Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner.

As research and evaluation lead, we look forward to providing evidence-based recommendations for the post‑pilot phase and supporting young people as they develop the skills and confidence to drive political and social change.

Dr Donna Smith Senior Lecturer in Politics

'Real, lasting change happens when we invest in young people and amplify their voices, and by backing their ideas and leadership today, we’re helping to build a greener, inclusive and thriving Wales for generations to come.'

'There has never been a more important time to empower young people to find their voice and make a real difference to their future and to their communities,' added Joe Baldwin, Deputy Principal of Bridgend College. 'Newid represents the culmination of more than a year of collaboration and planning with partners, with young people shaping the academy - we are absolutely delighted to have launched the pilot.'

'This collaboration builds on our Open Societal Challenges Changemakers research and Active Citizenship hub resources on democracy,' said Dr Donna Smith, Senior Lecturer in Politics at The Open University. 'As research and evaluation lead, we look forward to providing evidence-based recommendations for the post‑pilot phase and supporting young people as they develop the skills and confidence to drive political and social change.'