What’s the Big Idea? West Yorkshire's Young Innovators Shine in Mayor's Challenge - Meet the West Yorkshire Young People with Big Ideas to Boost Wellbeing

The challenge launched in February to unearth brilliant ideas from local young people aged 16 to 26 across the region, aiming to boost the health and happiness of their peers. The culmination of months of hard work, the celebration event honoured finalists, recognised their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to making a real, positive difference.

The Mayor's Big Ideas Challenge for young people featured several key award categories designed to recognise a range of innovative talents. These included the Most Viable Idea award, presented to those with the strongest potential for real-world business, with winners selected across the 16-18, 19-21, and 22-26 age groups.  Other significant accolades were the Most Creative Idea award, honouring the most original solutions to defined needs, the Furthest Travelled Award, celebrating individuals or teams who showed the most personal and skills growth throughout the challenge, and the Best Poster Award, chosen by event guests for the most effective visual representation of an idea.

Showcasing their inspirational concepts in a gallery of pop-up posters, ideas selected by a panel of judges & local business leaders, ranged from digital platforms connecting young people with mental health resources, to community-based projects promoting outdoor activity and creative expression. One idea involved developing a peer-support network specifically for young carers, while another focused on creating accessible urban green spaces to combat loneliness and encourage physical wellbeing.

With all finalists receiving a commemorative plaque, winners were awarded prize packs of up to £625 in value, alongside bespoke mentorship, expert workshops, and connections to industry networks, designed to help them take their promising ideas to the next exciting stage.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, speaking at the event, said the initiative was vital for empowering and supporting the region's future:

"Our region is the home of innovation, and every idea here began with a spark from a young, bold mind.

"I want to empower young people as the architects of a healthier, happier future for West Yorkshire.

"I urge all aspiring innovators to stay curious, challenge the world, and to have confidence in your ideas – you never know where they might lead."

Of the awards presented, the "Most Viable Idea" award, recognising the strongest potential for real-world business, was presented to Malaika Noor (16-18 age category), Melody Orhunanya Amadi (19-21 age category) and Will Yeung (22-26 age category).  Beyond these winners, the challenge unearthed significant talent across all age categories and regions of West Yorkshire, with participants earning accolades in various categories. Eleni Page was awarded winner of Most Creative Idea and Zoeya Hamid was awarded runner-up. Carver Kam won Furthest Travelled with Aiyesha Sanni as runner-up. And Malaika Noor was voted winner of Best Poster with Abigail Warrington, Eleni Page and Melody Orhunanya Amadi as runners-up. This diverse group of young innovators highlights the widespread talent and the commitment to making a positive difference across the West Yorkshire region.

While the 2025 ‘Mayor's Big Ideas Challenge’ for young people (16-26) has concluded, finalists for the £1 million SME challenge, focusing on health inequalities, will be announced later this July with winners to be announced in March 2026.