Hadrian’s Wall Design Sprint 2024
A creative communications project and process, open to no more than 15 individuals or organisations based in Northumberland, England.
With a £10,000 fully funded prize for the winner, the opportunity is to develop an idea for a brand new, sustainable product or service focussed on boosting awareness of, and engagement with, and visits to the 72 mile long Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage site.
This is a unique opportunity to have significant financial contribution towards, and to see your creative thinking come to life on a global stage.
Who can get involved, what is the cost and commitment?
It costs nothing to apply to be one of the 15, and nothing to partake. It’s 100% funded.
We’ll consider approaches from entrepreneurial thinkers, creative individuals owners or employees of businesses and organisations with under 250 employees. You must work for or own a business located and registered in Northumberland.
Your commitment is to think about and prepare for attendance of a 2-day long Design Sprint that takes place from 9am to 5pm on both Wednesday 25th September and Thursday 26th September 2024 at Eastburn in Hexham.
In the weeks through to the end of September’s two-day Design Sprint, we’ll support your preparation with 4, 1-hour-long Zoom meetings, and access to a website that will evolve with up-to-date information as-we-go. Although they will be helpful, you don’t have to come to any of these Zoom meetings.
If you’re selected, you must attend the two full day Design Sprint to have your idea considered.
Who the organisers are, and why now?
This is a highest level, genuinely globally-focussed tourism project, a collaboration between The Small Business Service, Hadrian’s Wall Partnership and The Rural Design Centre, working with the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise under the single banner of Rural Catalyst.
With what happened at Sycamore Gap in 2023, Hadrian’s Wall lost a significant global visual shorthand. Plus, just a few years after the pandemic, the way people make decisions around travel is arguably more discerning. We want Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site to stand out, and be chosen.
What kind of ideas and projects are we looking for?
You might want to work up an existing idea for a new tourism project or service. Or you might want to generate and develop ideas for a new or existing business that you own and run.
What happens on the two day sprint at the end of September 2024?
The precise timetable, for both days, will be posted on the Northumberland Small Business Service website on the week commencing 2nd September.
Other supporting information will be posted here too, so pop back each week as-we-go.
Can I speak to someone if you have any questions or want to get a better feel for the opportunity?
You can email Nick.devitt@ruraldesigncentre.com and or Heather.newton@advancenorthumberland.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you quickly.
When and how do I apply?
Initially, you should register your interest now on the Northumberland Small Business website.
Additional reading that might be useful
Links and recommendations here.
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