Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) is the British Council’s flagship programme that identifies and connects innovative international entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative sector. This prestigious programme has been running for over five years in 50 countries around the world, with many resulting projects and an active alumni network connected to the UK and each other.
why?
Creative entrepreneurs are key players in the dissemination of new creative ideas and cultural experiences and as such are vital in the British Council’s cultural relations objectives. This programme facilitates the flow of more cultural work and business between the UK and other countries around the world.
what?
YCE awards are run annually through competitions around the world, selecting winners to represent the best of the creative sector in participating countries. The winners travel to the UK for a shared programme of international peer networking, taking part in a major trade event and a series of meetings with UK experts, industry contacts and investors. In 2011-12 we are running awards in four creative sectors: Music, Design and Fashion, Media and Publishing.
YCE networks/clubs are ongoing events run through British Council offices around the world, presenting opportunities for networking, UK/international inspiration, skills development and peer learning.
Through both the awards and international network activities we are always looking for opportunities to engage UK creative entrepreneurs, meeting international contacts in the UK or travelling to other countries to participate in events.
who?
YCE is open to emerging entrepreneurs who have demonstrated entrepreneurship in, and understanding of and commitment to, the development of the creative sector in their country. We seek to identify innovative creative businesses who are championing new models of cultural production and distribution and who have an international outlook and potential to collaborate with the UK. For more information please see the YCE awards - participant and sector definitions
whERE?
In 2011-12 the YCE programme is being run in 24 countries around the world. Please see the list of YCE participating countries and/or see our country pages to check with the British Council offices in these places for more information about their YCE activities.
YCE activities in participating countries take place throughout the year.
In 2011-12 the YCE awards in the UK will take place as follows:
Music – May 2011 (The Great Escape)
Design and Fashion – September 2011 (London Design Festival and London Fashion Week)
Media – October 2011 (London Film Festival and various other digital events)
Publishing – April 2012 (London Book Fair)
All participating countries run their YCE award selection procedure and local networking activities according to different timeframes so please see the info/contacts on our country pages and/or the local British Council website to check.
Alternatively, please contact CCE@britishcouncil.org for more information.
