Changemaker Challenge : University of Sussex

Find out how to make a difference on campus or in your local community.

About the Changemaker Challenge

Apply for a bursary of between £500-£2,000 to develop and deliver an environmental or social impact project.

We want to empower Sussex students and recent graduates to transform their ideas into impact and become active changemakers. This is your opportunity to create a more sustainable, connected and equitable future for those on campus and in the Brighton/Sussex area.

Projects can be led by individuals or teams and can take many forms. We welcome ideas that aim to:

reduce carbon footprints
promote sustainable practices
address climate change
enhance physical or mental wellbeing
celebrate and support culture, heritage and creativity
contribute to more equitable opportunities.

Here are a few examples of projects our students and graduates have instigated previously:

piano sessions and sing-alongs in care homes
repair cafés to fix clothes, bikes or small electronics
bike buddy scheme to promote greener travel
inclusive sports sessions or creative workshops for underrepresented groups
gardening and planting days in shared public spaces
podcasting to highlight social or environmental issues.

How to apply

To apply, simply answer five short questions by midnight on Monday 8 June, outlining your proposed idea. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a one-minute video and will receive mentoring and support from the Entrepreneurship team to help bring their project to life.

Support and guidance

Attend the Changemaker Challenge Launch and Information Session on Wednesday 22 April, 5pm-5.30pm, online.

Attend the optional support sessions to help develop your application and ideas:

Book your place to attend the support sessions via CareerHub.

Ideas will be run on a voluntary basis and do not need to be fully developed. Participation will count towards Spirit of Sussex points.

Finalist video submission information

All shortlisted applicants will be required to submit a 30-60 second video pitch, filmed with support from the Entrepreneurship team, on 16 June.

The video may include, but is not limited to:

the problem or challenge they aim to address and why it matters to them
their proposed solution or initiative (project)
the intended social or environmental impact on the Sussex/Brighton community
why the fund is critical to make the project happen.

Participants will receive support from the Entrepreneurship Team in preparing and producing their video submission. Support may include guidance on structure, messaging, presentation skills and technical production. Shortlisted applicants are not required to film their own videos or have their own equipment.

Voting panel and community engagement

Video submissions will be reviewed and voted on by a panel consisting of previous finalists from the University’s Big Ideas competition and others with social innovation and impact expertise.

Voting criteria

Voters will be asked to consider the following criteria when selecting winners from the shortlisted applicants:

strength and originality of the idea/project
potential social or environmental impact for the Sussex/Brighton community
clarity and effectiveness of communication
feasibility of the project, along with commitment and understanding demonstrated by the applicant, i.e., what/why funding is critical to take the project further.

Determining winners

Votes will be collated by the Entrepreneurship Team. The applicant(s) receiving the highest overall number of votes will be selected as the winner(s) of Changemaker Challenge.

The University reserves the right to:

select multiple winners where appropriate
moderate or exclude votes where there is evidence of unfair influence, misconduct, or conflict of interest.

All participants and voters are expected to engage professionally and respectfully throughout the process. Video submissions may be shared internally and externally for the purposes of judging, promotion, and celebration of the competition unless otherwise agreed in advance.

Apply now