In November 2021, nineteen shortlisted schools from across Scotland came together during the COP26 summit to pitch their social enterprise ideas to a panel of experts at an event at Glasgow Strathclyde Union.
The Dragons’ Den event was delivered as part of the After The Pandemic programme for COP26 in partnership with WOSDEC, one of Scotland’s five Development Education Centres who work to ensure all educators across Scotland have access to high-quality Global Citizenship professional learning, along with Social Enterprise Academy, which since 2007 has delivered Social Enterprise Schools in partnership with the Scottish Government.
"It was such a privilege to attend the event as a Dragon and hear first-hand the young people's inspiring ideas for social enterprises that will reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the achievement of the targets with SDG 13 on Climate Action." Diana Ellis, Dragon from Wosdec
Climate smart, future first
Pupils across the country were challenged to create a social enterprise concept that is climate smart and future first. The programme was led by young people and empowered pupils to tackle causes important to them in relation to climate change. The result? A range of creative, outside the box ideas on how to make the world a better place for future generations.
Just like the show, a group of social entrepreneurs from each school were given an opportunity to present their varying business ideas to a panel of five climate-conscious investors- the Dragons of the show's title.
The Dragons
Diana Ellis from WOSDEC took part as a Dragon and was blown away by the climate-smart pitches from Scotland’s schools: “It was such a privilege to attend the event as a Dragon and hear first-hand the young people's inspiring ideas for social enterprises that will reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the achievement of the targets with SDG 13 on Climate Action. Some presentations linked up with other issues such as isolation, loneliness and mental health, other ideas involved the concept of Climate Justice and raising awareness of how those around the world who are affected the most by the Climate and Ecological Emergency are often living in poverty and the least responsible for causing the crisis.”
"We have made connections and had opportunities that we couldn’t have had in any other circumstance." Paul Tyler, teacher
The winners
A team from Kirkhill Primary was crowned overall primary school winner. The pupils from Kirkhill pitched their Development of Climate Justice Education programme which would see the creation of informative, creative resources for teachers to use in class and an online training programme leading to the delivery of live online lessons for children in schools.
Paul Tyler, principal teacher at Kirkhill Primary said: “The whole process of getting children to think about social enterprises and climate justice has been inspiring and we are honoured to be part of such an amazing opportunity for young people, giving them invaluable skills for life. We have made connections and had opportunities that we couldn’t have had in any other circumstance.”
Young entrepreneurs
Neil McLean, chief executive at Social Enterprise Academy was inspired to see how young people across Scotland have been creating positive changes in their community: “The pupils involved in the projects have shown us how their bright and bold ideas turn into innovative and profitable small social enterprises that really make a big difference.”
By taking action for climate justice at a community level, the pupils involved in the projects demonstrated how their bright and bold ideas turn into innovative and profitable small social enterprises that really make a big difference to people and planet.
"The pupils involved in the projects have shown us how their bright and bold ideas turn into innovative and profitable small social enterprises that really make a big difference." Neil McLean, CEO Social Enterprise Academy
The young people involved were able to develop key entrepreneurial and employability skills, alongside becoming empowered as a movement of young social entrepreneurs - championing youth-led climate action during COP26 and beyond.
