Inspiring Stories

Tēnā koutou, Kua hua te marama  Something has completed a full cycle With immense gratitude, a heavy heart and holding so much to be proud of, we share the news that Inspiring Stories is closing its doors in early 2025. This decision was made due to financial challenges. This was not an easy choice, but it was the right one for our team and, ultimately, a decision we had no alternative but to make. Our heart goes out to all our friends in the sector experiencing the same hard decisions and challenges. Over more than a decade, we have had the privilege of standing alongside rangatahi across Aotearoa, walking alongside them as they dream boldly and innovate for change, woven together in a community. Through our mahi together, we’ve achieved so much: - Over the last 12 years Inspiring Stories has backed 15,000+ young people to create positive impact in Aotearoa. - Festival for the Future has enabled thousands of taiohi to learn first-hand from Aotearoa’s leading social innovators, entrepreneurs and change makers. - Inspiring Stories programmes have helped rangatahi develop their sense of purpose, motivation & hope for the future. - Over the last 12 years Inspiring Stories has celebrated amazing young people with $100,000 worth of prizes and awards. - Over the last two years the Impact Challenge has put $25,750 directly into the hands of rangatahi working on grassroots community climate action. None of this would have been possible without the incredible community of people and organisations who have supported us: - To our team - your dedication, creativity, and tireless energy have been the beating heart of Inspiring Stories. Together, you’ve built something extraordinary that will live on long after we close our doors.  - To our funders and sponsors- your belief in the potential of rangatahi has made this vision a reality. Thank you for standing with us every step of the way. - To our board members and Youth Advisory Group - your guidance and wisdom have shaped our kaupapa and ensured we stayed true to our values. - To our alumni and rangatahi - you are the reason we began this journey, and why our heart aches with this decision. Your courage, ideas, and actions are the legacy of Inspiring Stories. The work of empowering rangatahi to lead change does not end here. It continues with each of you - as leaders, dreamers, and doers. Let us remain steadfast in our shared commitment to empowering young leaders and creating a brighter future. Carry this kaupapa forward, and uplift the voices of rangatahi who are shaping our future here in Aotearoa and beyond. Ngā mihi nui, aroha nui, and a deep thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Tamara Buckland (Chair of the Board of Trustees) Devon Murphy-Davids (Chief Executive) Sean Prenter & Ali Muhammad (Youth Advisory Group members)

We need your support! We know that to enact positive change young people need to connect, be inspired, build capability, and be empowered to take action. That’s why these are the cornerstones of our kaupapa. Back us to back young people in Aotearoa! backtomorrow.org.nz

Kia ora whānau, our campaign is closing this Friday. Get amongst! Show our taiohi that you believe in them - back us to back them 👏 www.backtomorrow.org.nz

Imagine if we didn't back bold, brave new ideas through our mahi. Imagine if we don't back tomorrow. Join us in imagining what is possible if we did. We are asking our incredible community to back us so we can continue to back the ideas and dreams of young people now, tomorrow and into the future. Give $30 today to back our future. Our ‘why’ has always been - and will always be - rooted in the belief that every young person has the potential to change the world. That’s why, since 2011, we’ve built a range of high-impact programmes and events that have backed a community of thousands with the connections, capability, confidence and resources to lead change. 1700+ people have taken part in our programmes, We’ve supported 200+ community projects and ventures We’ve given out $115K+ in funding as awards and prizes We’ve gifted $2.5M+ in-kind scholarship support to increase access to life changing opportunities Our alumni are constantly creating impact for good. From creating solutions for climate and community resilience, to mental health and wellbeing, to building the next generation of impact-driven businesses. If you care about Aotearoa’s young people and making a difference for our future – give now! https://lnkd.in/gJxQBtwQ

WHO BACKED YOU? Who supported you on your journey? Who was instrumental in your development? Who guided you to where you are now? Let’s celebrate those people! This campaign is all about how critical it is to back young people and their innovative ideas. Share your story - join us in creating a movement that celebrates and acknowledges how we show up for each other. Use the templates below, tag them in the comments or you create your own post or video to celebrate them in your authentic way.

We want to be there to back every step of a young person’s journey. Believing in. Celebrating. Upskilling. Empowering. This is your opportunity to back us to continue this powerful kaupapa. To back young people and the big ideas they bring. To back a brighter future for Aotearoa. To Back Tomorrow | Āwhina i Āpōpō https://lnkd.in/gJxQBtwQ #backtomorrow

🌍✨ Calling All Young Change-Makers in Aotearoa! ✨🌍 Do you have a vision, project, or event that could make a real difference for Te Taiao? Are you ready to take action against climate change for the future of Aotearoa? The Impact Prize is here to empower you! We’re dedicated to supporting rangatahi (ages 14-30) who want to turn their climate action ideas into reality. We’re offering three funding pots of $1000, plus an extra prize for Bay of Plenty and Tai Tokerau entries—five in total! Eligibility Criteria: - Youth-led projects with a focus on climate action/justice and community resilience. - Clear benefits to the community and Te Taiao. - Submit a project idea, plan, budget, and a 90-second pitch video or a brief explanation (up to 500 words). Pitching Made Easy: Your pitch doesn’t need to be fancy! Here are some simple ideas: - Talk directly to the camera about your idea. - Use photos with a voiceover. - Create a basic presentation with your voice. Deadline: 9 AM, Monday, 30th September. Selection Process: We’re involving everyone in the decision-making! All applicants will vote on their top 5 pitches. A panel will also evaluate based on: - Viable plans and budgets. - Alignment with our vision, prioritising community impact and indigenous knowledge. We can’t wait to hear your awesome ideas for Papatūānuku! If you have questions, feel free to reach out: - Northland: jodie@inspiringstories.org.nz - Bay of Plenty: julia@inspiringstories.org.nz - Elsewhere in Aotearoa: jess@inspiringstories.org.nz 🔗 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dyE9Nvm8 Let’s make a difference together! 🌱💚 #ClimateAction #YouthEmpowerment #Aotearoa #ImpactChallenge

Kia ora whānau, please read below for an important update regarding The Impact Awards The Inspiring Stories Youth advisory, Board and team has made the very difficult decision to not go ahead with the Impact Awards event this year. We have been navigating an extremely difficult financial climate where we are not able to confidently carry the risk of the costs of running another event. We believe in the power of celebrating and supporting young people making a difference in Aotearoa. So will be looking for alternate ways to do this for the remainder of 2024. We are deeply proud of the work that so many young people do to make a positive impact in their communities and we intend to continue to awhi them where we can

✨ What a truly incredible week last week was! ✨ On Tuesday we hosted the Mayor’s Lunch - a chance for mayors, youth councils and youth voice rōpū from across the motu to connect - Hosted by Mayor Tory Whanau, with support from Ministry of Youth Development and Mana Mokopuna - Children and Young People's Commission, sponsored by Mayors Taskforce for Jobs MTFJ. This was followed by a phenomenal Festival for the Future, where 1200+ established and aspiring leaders, changemakers and shakers joined us from near and far to connect, grow, inspire and be inspired. The programme featured powerful stories of leadership, innovation, activism, collective wellbeing and social impact. We had workshops on ethical investing, exploring intersecting identities, and getting your startup off the ground; panels on innovation for a better tomorrow, what it means to build a legacy, and the human stories behind the systems; and expo activations on everything from climate justice, to VR, to wellbeing, to influencing change in your local community. On Friday we finished up with our two satellite events, kicking off with our Climate Justice Wānanga - an event focused on the weaving of our strengths, passions and ideas for climate justice in order to facilitate cross-sector collaboration - hosted with support from Clare Foundation. Friday also saw us come alongside the Young Neurodiversity Champions and Neurodiversity in Education Coalition to support their Neurodiversity Hui at parliament, hosted by Chlöe Swarbrick and Tory Whanau. This event saw young people present a vision for an education system where neurodivergent young people receive the support they need to thrive. Thank you to Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, Ingrid Leary, New Zealand Labour Party, Jan Tinetti, Matt Doocey, New Zealand National Party, Lawrence Xu-Nan, Willow-Jean Prime and Nicola Willis MP for hearing their voices. Thank you also to the Young ND Champions for setting up the epic chill-out zone and low-sensory spaces for us at Festival! A massive thank you to all of our speakers, workshop hosts, stallholders, volunteers, attendees and our very own Inspiring Stories team. Thank you also to our partners - Wellington City Council Beca Creative New Zealand NW Group Mayors Taskforce for Jobs MTFJ Pathfinder Asset Management Limited YWCA New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO One Percent Collective Venues Wellington Sojourn Apartment Hotel Blue Star New Zealand TG Macarthy Trust Foundation North Bay Trust Clare Foundation Ministry of Youth Development Ministry for Ethnic Communities We absolutely could not have pulled together such a monumental event in this climate without each and every one of you. There has never been a more important time for young people to stand in their mana, have their voices heard, and become impact-driven leaders and changemakers across Aotearoa. We can’t wait to see the things you achieve, and look forward to being right there alongside you on the journey!

Kia ora e te whanau! Festival for the Future is on today and tomorrow and we urgently need a couple of Wellington-based NZSL interpreters to help us out. Our previous booking fell through and now we have three young people and a panellist who do not have the support they need to attend. Please reach out ASAP if you or an interpreter you know would have availability from 9am-5.30pm today and/or 9.30am-5pm tomorrow.