Aged 18 to 30?
Turn your ideas into a green business
Rural Design Centre, in partnership with Northumbria University, is running a unique international project connecting young people in North East England with peers in Mexico — to develop green business ideas that work for communities like ours.
About the project
Real ideas, real communities
Over six months you'll work in small teams to create and test business ideas that tackle local challenges while protecting our environment.
Think: transforming waste into resources, supporting local food systems, land management — or an innovative combination of your skills and your community's needs.
You'll learn proven entrepreneurship methods used by successful startups worldwide.
Curiosity, commitment, and enthusiasm are the important ingredients.
Bursaries are available, as well as funding to support the most promising business ideas.
You don't need: ❌
Business experience
Formal qualifications
Perfect answers
You do need: ✅
Commitment to show up
Willingness to try things that might not work
Openness to learning from others
The program includes:
Inspiring workshop days covering circular economy principles, business basics, and how to test your ideas with real customers
Team-based learning with 3 to 4 other local young people, plus mentors who understand rural and business challenges
Monthly team sessions to develop your ideas with expert support
Bi-weekly international exchanges connecting with youth teams in Mexico who are working on similar challenges in their rural communities – sharing experiences, comparing approaches, and building international networks
Hands-on prototyping where you'll test your ideas with local people and businesses
What you'll gain
Skills that travel with you:
Entrepreneurship fundamentals: spotting opportunities, understanding customers, testing assumptions
Business planning that works in the real world
Confidence to turn ideas into action
Problem-solving with limited resources
International collaboration and cross-cultural perspectives
Ongoing support beyond the project:
Connections to regional business networks including Enterprising North East, Northumbria University Business Incubator, and Northern Accelerator
Information about training and business support programs
Certificate of participation
A network of other young people tackling similar challenges
Ready to get started?
Let us know some details, and we’ll arrange the next steps.
Applications close on Friday 27 February 2026