About Changemakers

We live in challenging times for Cymru/Wales, the United Kingdom, and the world. But it’s also a time of great opportunity and possibilities. So how can ordinary young Welsh people make a difference politically and socially? How can you use political institutions to make change? How can you be an active citizen? How can you become one of the Changemakers?

Changes, big and small, are happening around us all the time. Some issues might seem personal and others are public, affecting our communities or society on a national and even global level. When you feel passionate about an issue, ask yourself, “How can I make an impact? “How can I make change?” “What should I do next?” “How can I connect with people about this issue?”

You can change society and issues that affect you by campaigning for better policies and representation in Senedd Cymru. This website will show you how.

Changemakers project

Changemakers began as an academic research project exploring ways to improve young adults’ access to political and social change. Led by Dr. Donna Smith and Dr. Jenny Hewitt from The Open University, funded by the Open Societal Challenges programme, and in alliance with The Open University in Wales, the project has harnessed a range of young Welsh voices to understand what they need to make change in Wales and the wider UK.

The Changemakers website is born out of these voices, and celebrates the role of active citizenship: the idea that someone can be an active political citizen and can affect change.

More information

* Portraits of famously inspiring changemakers were generated partly using AI.

Changemakers social media campaign

In 2020 The Open University launched its Changemakers social media campaign, part of the university’s partnership with UK Parliament Week. The campaign asked people to nominate individuals who’ve made a change in society and the impact they’ve had politically, democratically, and socially.