Karen Kindley of the British Council talks us through their recently launched programme for young creative entrepreneurs.

The UKYCE awards are part of the prestigious Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) programme that recognises the importance of young creative entrepreneurs.

The awards follow the success of the International Young Creative Entrepreneur (IYCE) programme, a unique scheme that champions entrepreneurs in developing economies. So far there are five UK awards for Screen, Publishing, Fashion, Design and Music. They will grow to nine to mirror the IYCE awards by the end of 2009.

A panel of leading industry figures select six finalists to go on a study tour of their sector in an emerging economy. The tour aims to give them a unique insight into the country’s particular creative sector, so that they learn how business is done there and spot new opportunities. Re-interviewed on their return to assess what they have gained from the experience, a winner is then chosen. They win the title and £5,000 to be spent on a joint project with the focus country.

Among the finalists for the first UK Fashion award is Manchester-based Sissy Rooney of Street Style Surgery, who was selected to go on a two-week tour of the fashion industry in India. The judges were impressed by Sissy’s energy, tenacity and drive and her ability to overcome significant obstacles before setting up her business. Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Senior Editor of Flipped Eye Publishing in Manchester, has also been shortlisted for the UK Publishing award 2009.

The UK Music award is now open for applications. You can find out more about the programme at:

W: www.creativeconomy.org.uk

W: www.streetstylesurgery.co.uk
W: www.flippedeye.net

Karen Kindley is Acting Programme Administrator for the UK YCE Awards Programme.