A Decade of Impact: The Agency's Longitudinal Report
Empowering hundreds of young entrepreneurs across the UK since 2013.
As The Agency celebrates its tenth anniversary, we are proud to present the findings of our Longitudinal Research spanning 2013-2023. This report highlights the profound impact the programme has had on youth entrepreneurship and community development over the past decade.
Key Highlights:
Empowering Youth:
79% of participants reported improved ability to communicate and present their ideas clearly.
76% felt more confident speaking in public.
88% felt better prepared to pitch their ideas to potential funders.
Building Networks and Skills:
67% of young people extended their networks.
64% benefitted from mentorship and support.
80% gained a better understanding of job market opportunities and necessary skills.
Promoting Self-Confidence and Professional Development:
76% reported increased self-confidence in obtaining a job.
78% felt more confident in developing a budget.
82% included their experience with The Agency on their CV.
Community Impact:
72% recognized the importance of being part of something larger than themselves.
45% became more interested in influencing change within their communities.
Programme Structure:
The Agency operates in two main cycles:
Cycle 1: A 12-week period where participants develop ideas to address community needs, culminating in a pitch to secure funding.
Cycle 2: Implementation of funded projects with the support of producers and industry experts.
Participatory Approach:
The evaluation, led by Dr. Meg Peterson and Sara Rizzo of 21 Artists, engaged past and current participants through creative and participatory research methods, such as Action Research and Photovoice. This has ensured the research is deeply reflective of the young people's experiences.
Looking Forward:
As we celebrate a decade of empowering youth and fostering community-driven initiatives, The Agency remains committed to exploring the future of youth-led social change, supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Foundation and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch). The findings from this report will guide future improvements, ensuring even greater support for young change makers.
In the interest of collecting learning and in the spirit of generosity, we are making the full report available to the sector. We hope in doing so to provide the opportunity for people to learn from our successes as well as from areas where improvements could be made.
You can read The Summary Findings Report here or for a detailed exploration of the impacts and methodology, read the full Longitudinal Evaluation Report here. If you are interested in learning more please do get in touch.
The Agency Longitudinal Report was an independent report by: Dr Meg Peterson and Sara Rizzo. Co-researchers: Farhad Gohar, Dorcas Bassey, Leon Douglas, and Divine Obijiaku.
“If I have the right resources and know the right people, anything is possible”
We’re excited to continue on past our decade of success and continue explore the future of youth-led social change.