UpRising Leadership
In 2025 the charity Board decided to refocus our charitable work on our One Million Mentors (1MM) project. Whilst UpRising Leadership work in the leadership development space will pause here, we’re proud that our sister project, One Million Mentors, will continue its important work connecting talented mentors with young people across the UK.
‘We are excited about our new focus on the One Million Mentors initiative that can make a significant impact on the lives of young people. Also, we are pleased that the Royal Society Of Wildlife Trusts has taken over our Environmental Leadership Programme and plans to take it to new heights’. – Stephen Colegrave, UpRising Trustee.
For over 15 years, UpRising has worked to change the face of power in the UK. We have much to be proud of, but some of our key achievements include;
- We’ve supported over 4,893 young people since 2008, and our young leaders have worked with nearly 20,000 people through campaigns in their communities.
- 61.5% of our young leaders are women.
- 60.3% of our alumni identify as Black, Asian or minority ethnic.
- 52% have taken on a leadership role since completing an UpRising programme.
Our flagship Leadership and Environmental Leadership Programmes have created pathways to power for young people from underrepresented and underserved communities.
We’ve pioneered programmes like Making Change Happen and the Future Generations Leadership Academy in Wales working directly with key stakeholders to benefit specific communities.
Throughout the pandemic, we secured multi-year funding and innovated our programme delivery to ensure young people remained supported in ways relevant and authentic to their contexts.
Looking ahead, we’re pleased to reiterate that our current Climate Action Funded Environmental Leadership Programme 2 will continue to be delivered in partnership with Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The team that has made the ELP2 such a success will move together from UpRising to The Wildlife Trusts, ensuring continuity and maintaining the programme’s high standards.
‘The Wildlife Trusts have a long and happy history supporting the Environmental Leadership Programme. Originally established through Our Bright Future – an ambitious and innovative partnership led by The Wildlife Trusts which brought together the youth and environmental sectors, we are excited to have the opportunity to build upon everything UpRising have achieved so far to ensure a diverse network of young people can be at the forefront of nature’s recovery’.