Marsden and Slaithwaite Renaissance is working in partnership with Colne Valley High School to raise awareness of the Green Valley Initiative and the potential for green business development in the valley.

The Green Valley Initiative comprises two central projects - the Environmental Technology Innovation Centre (ETIC), which will be a regional focal point for new green business development, and the National Centre for Environmental Construction Skills (NCECS), which is already garnering substantial interest and support from across the UK. Following several years of detailed development and planning, both of these flagship projects are now in the running for a major boost.

Students at the High School are being invited to submit their ideas for innovative green businesses in a local 'Dragons Den' style competition. All of the submissions will be appraised by a select group of local business 'Dragons', and the winning business idea will receive a package of services and support to enable them to take their business idea forward and build an online presence, courtesy of Slaithwaite online consultancy MC3. All of the shortlisted ideas will also be presented with a Renaissance memory stick, ideal for storing those important business documents.

• Download the competition flyer(PDF, 204KB)
• Download the Application Form(Word format, 132KB)

The aim of this project is to establish a voluntary group in the valley that will manage and deliver projects to engage with young people and deliver a range of recreational activities.

The key activities include:

• To agree a local action plan to improve provision of activities for children and young people in the valley.

• To consult widely with young people about the plan and involve them where possible in its implementation.

• To coordinate the work of existing projects that work with young people in the Upper Colne Valley .

• To publish programmes and contact details of all of the organisations in the valley that work with young people, through notice boards, flyers, websites etc.

• To share resources and spaces to make efficiency savings and better use of existing facilities.

• To submit coordinated bids for new projects and capital assets from external funders.

• To lobby the Council and other providers for better play and recreation facilities for young people.

• To work towards being able to tender for contracts to deliver projects and employ staff to work with young people.

• To find innovative and effective ways of engaging with young people about wider plans for the Upper Colne Valley and operate as a sounding board for projects proposed by the RMT town team.

Project Champion: Jean Margetts