Public relations consultancy Clearly has launched a project for young people to help businesses in its home city of Bath tackle climate change and increase positive social impact.
In what it believes is the first venture of its kind for a UK PR firm, Clearly has committed £5,000 to fund the research, development and market launch of the Clearly Innovation Challenge.
The scheme, which is open to all 16–25 year olds, aims to find ideas that will enable all Bath businesses to help their customers and supply chain partners reduce their carbon emissions and increase social impact without the need for additional investment – creating a ‘domino effect’.
As a reward for their concept, the winning individual or team will be awarded £5,000.
Founded by managing director Paul MacKenzie-Cummins in 2014, Clearly has become Bath’s largest PR consultancy with a 13-strong team.
Paul, pictured, said: “The pandemic has brought to light many home truths. We each have a responsibility to protect the planet and to help those in society who need it the most.
“However, the impetus for progress should not be laid fully on the shoulders of government. Businesses have a greater ability to effect the change that is needed.
“Take our home city as a case in point. There are 8,500 businesses in Bath. Imagine the impact that could be created if each of them onboarded just one of their suppliers to the ‘solution’ that this challenge seeks to find?
“That would see an additional 8,500 businesses doing more to limit their impact on the environment and boosting their social impact.
“Now imagine if that second group of 8,500 businesses did likewise – this would create a phenomenally powerful and impactful ‘domino effect’.”
He said there were many businesses already doing great work in reducing their carbon footprint and committing to greater social responsibility.
“But they can go a step further and move beyond their own actions by influencing and empowering change in others,” he added.
“By encouraging shifts in attitudes and actions throughout their customer base and supply chains towards these two great challenges, businesses can become a greater force for good.
“They just need the right platform or service to make it easier to do, and it is hoped the ideas generated by entrants to the Innovation Challenge will provide the solution.”
Ideas and proposals are open only to 16 to 25 year olds based in Bath and the surrounding area. They can be school or college students, undergraduates or apprentices, not in education, employment or training, graduates or unemployed.
Paul added: “Figures show that around one in four of all jobs lost due to the pandemic were held by 16-25 year olds – the age group most impacted by the events of the last year.
“This is also the generation with more at stake in how the battle for positive climate and social change will be won or lost in the coming years. We’ve thrown down the challenge to give them the opportunity to be the driving force for good.”
For more information about the Clearly Innovation Challenge 2021, go to the dedicated web page: https://www.clearlypr.co.uk/innovation-challenge-2021/
