Nesta and The Observer have launched Britain’s 50 New Radicals 2014 list to find the top 50 people, projects and organisations changing the country for the better.

The search to find Britain’s unsung heroes – specifically, those helping to tackle some of the biggest challenges we face – has just two weeks left with entries due to close on 16th June.

The ‘New Radicals’ are inspirational people, initiatives and organisations from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, who are working hardest to tackle local community and wider societal issues  in a unique and innovative way.

And, in contrast to the seemingly endless lists appearing in media that celebrate the most popular celebrities and the richest people, the ’New Radicals 2014’ list seeks to recognise the real people and innovators who are making a genuine – and often unheralded – contribution to Britain.

This is the second time that the list has been made; the first, released in 2012, saw ground-breaking concepts recognised for their wide and varied contributions. Among those recognised were schemes tackling a myriad of problems, such as teaching young people the basic medical skills needed to help treat knife crime injuries and personal finance workshops in schools and at youth centres.

This year, there are 10 different categories for which people will be eligible. These are: community action; environment; health; employment/jobs; politics; media, architecture and the arts; science and technology; business; education; food.

Entries are open until 16 June 2014 and the panel of judges, led by Nesta’s Geoff Mulgan and The Observer’s editor, John Mulholland, and lead writer, Yvonne Roberts, will then decide who makes it through to the final list of 50, announced in September.

You can submit your entry for Britain’s 50 New Radicals at www.nesta.org.uk/radicals

- Ends -

Notes to editor

Britain’s 50 New Radicals is a search led by Nesta and The Observer to find the top 50 people, projects and organisations offering innovative ways to tackle social challenges. It was launched for the first time in 2012 when more than 200 entered and 50 were chosen from across a broad range of sectors. 

More information on Britain’s 50 New Radicals 2014 can be found below:

·         Article on why Nesta and The Observer have launched Britain’s 50 New Radicals 2014: http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2014/may/11/britains-new-radicals-best-ideas-stifled-nesta

·         An overview of Britain’s 50 New Radicals 2014: http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/11/britains-50-new-radicals

·         A look back at some of the projects from 2012: http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2014/may/11/britain-new-radicals-2014-positive-impact-nominations-observer-nesta

For more information visit www.nesta.org.uk or contact: Laura Scarrott, Press Office, Nesta, 0207 438 2697