About Nesta

Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society.

Help us find 2016’s New Radicals

The world is full of good ideas. Sadly most of them go nowhere, because the ideas are much more plentiful than people with the grit, tenacity and guile to turn them into reality.

Since the inaugural New Radicals list was published in 2012, we’ve tried turn to the spotlight on people working tirelessly to shape our world for the better. There are dozens of lists of the rich, the powerful, or the beautiful. Most of them don’t really need more attention. But for people pioneering social change the oxygen of publicity can be incredibly helpful.

That’s why we’ve joined forces with The Observer for a third time to find a new generation of radicals working in the UK today. We want you to nominate the people, initiatives and organisations developing creative ways of tackling society’s biggest challenges. We need your help to uncover those breaking new ground, operating away from the limelight. They may be in the arts or architecture, food or fashion, health or homelessness.  What matters is that they have already shown an ability to make change happen, and a potential to achieve far more.

We’re accepting entries between now and 11.59pm 29 March 2016. Our panel of judges, which includes Mike Bracken, Rohan Silva and Debbie Forster, will then decide who makes it through to the final list of 50, announced in July.

Last year we received over 1,000 nominations which we distilled into a list of 50 creative and inspiring individuals and initiatives. We’ll be compiling this year’s list based on the following criteria:

  • Organisations of all sizes will be considered ranging from one-man-bands to established companies. However, the project, initiative or company must have been going for at least six months and not in operation before January 2011.
  • Entries must be able to demonstrate evidence of success and sustainability.  
  • All entries must be based in the UK and not be primarily motivated by profit.

Here’s a reminder of the inspirational people and organisations we featured in the 2012 and 2014 lists. Please do tell us who you think should be on this year’s list, including if you want to put yourself forward for consideration. You can also help us get the word out by sharing the call on Twitter with the hashtag #50Radicals

 

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New Radicals

Author

Geoff Mulgan

Geoff Mulgan

Geoff Mulgan

Chief Executive Officer

Geoff Mulgan was Chief Executive of Nesta from 2011-2019.

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