Gen22 provides an opportunity for young people (16-24) from the West Midlands to gain employability boosting opportunities through the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Gen22 is for young people who might otherwise struggle to access Games related opportunities.  Barriers could include: lack of confidence; being a young carer or young parent; or having a criminal record.

Participants will work with Birmingham 2022’s authorised organisations to undertake a 30-hour volunteering assignment.  This will be connected to:

• Physical activity and wellbeing
• Creative
• Digital

It is our ambition that participants will receive support before, during and after the assignment to ensure they are able to maximise the benefits from the opportunity.

Gen22 has been codesigned by young people to ensure it best meets the needs of the participants and is something they will enjoy and benefit from.

Participants will be nominated to take part rather than being required to apply directly themselves.  The Gen22 team are looking for organisations that work with young people who would like to become a Nominating Organisation and signpost their young people to the programme.

The Gen22 team are also looking for organisations that might be able to offer one or more Gen22 participants the opportunity to undertake their assignment with them.  Assignment Providers can be from any sector – for example charities, businesses, sports clubs or educational establishments.  Assignment Providers will be given a licence to use the Gen22 brand (if they meet eligibility criteria).

If you would like to get involved but are not sure how, please email the Gen22 team on Gen22@Birmingham2022.com. They would love to hear from you!

17 March 2022

IdeasMadeReal is live! Young People aged 16-24 we need your ideas! Social Action projects are projects which benefit a local community, big or small. Do you have a Social Action project in mind that we can support you with? We partner young people with amazing organisations to help bring your Social Action projects alive. Apply for an Award of up to £10,000 to bring your idea to life.

What’s in it for you? Successful applicants will receive a package of support including mentoring, a ticket to a Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, a guaranteed reference, kit and more!

3 February 2022

Are you aged 16-24 and have great ideas of how to make things better in your community but don’t know where to start? The next phase of Gen22 will be launching soon! Young people will be able to submit their own social action project ideas. Organisations will be given funding to support young people to deliver their idea.

12 January 2022

Young people in the Gen22 Consultation Group had their first meeting of 2022. They had a really productive session learning about and evaluating some potential flagship providers for Gen22 to collaborate with this year. Watch this space for further updates on who these partners will be!

2 October 2021

Gen22 is being launched on Saturday 2nd October and you are invited! The launch will take place from 10am until 2pm at Victoria Park, Smethwick. You will be able to find out more about Gen22 and other projects; try some Commonwealth Games sports and meet Perry!

4 October 2021

Gen22 (supported by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner) is offering financial support to a small number of organisations to enable them to offer high-quality social action assignments and wrap-around support to young people. This funding is to support those most at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system. We are looking for organisations with experience of working with these groups, and/or creating meaningful social action projects for young people.  To find out more about the funding and apply please email the Gen22 team on Gen22@Birmingham2022.com. The deadline is Sunday 24 October 2021.

24 October 2021

The deadline for applying for the Gen22 (supported by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner) funding has been extended to Sunday 7 November 2021.  To receive further information and an application form please email the Gen22 team on Gen22@Birmingham2022.com.