The Positive Enterprise programme, an initiative from Cumbria Community Foundation and the Centre for Leadership Performance, is offering £1,000 in funding to each successful applicant.

The programme is designed to help people aged 14 to 25 into the world of business, and is open to anyone living in the former districts of Allerdale and Copeland.

The fund receivers will be able to spend their money on equipment, marketing, and other business start-up costs, as well as mentoring.

Up to ten places are available for the next intake, which launches in January of 2025.

The scheme, now in its third year, has so far nurtured businesses including an animal accessories concern, a football coaching service, an American sweets firm, and a company providing self-care packages for people undergoing chemotherapy.

Chloe Pennington, 16, from Whitehaven, took part this year with her business, Chloe’s Chateau.

She creates and sells original art and gifts, transforming her own brightly coloured, hand-drawn artwork showing scenes from West Cumbria and beyond into prints, mugs, and other giftware.

Two online information sessions will be held for anyone wanting to find out more about Positive Enterprise, on Thursday, November 14 and Wednesday, November 20, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on each day.

For more information, and to apply for a place or to be a mentor, go to https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/transforming-west-cumbria/positive-enterprise/

Applications will close at 5pm on Friday, January 3, 2025.