DMU Invites Local Businesses to Help Empower Young People in Leicester and Leicestershire

De Montfort University (DMU) is calling on businesses across Leicester and Leicestershire to join a pioneering initiative aimed at creating better opportunities for young people and retaining talent within the city and county.

The project builds on international DMU research that explored how collaboration between young people and adults fosters trust, empowerment, and social action within communities. The next stage brings these proven approaches home – applying them locally to benefit both young people and the businesses that serve them.

To share the findings and explore ways for the private sector to get involved, DMU will host two interactive roundtable sessions on:

• Monday 1 September 2025
• The Venue@DMU, 20 Western Boulevard, Leicester, LE2 7BU
• Parking available on-site

Session Times:

• 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m
• 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m

Roundtable Agenda:

• Why Co-create? – Research insights on empowerment and trust-building
  Rachel Rouncefield, DMU

• Making it Local – How co-creation can deliver lasting benefits for communities and businesses
  Morten Toft (Denmark), International Speaker, Facilitator, Author, and Changemaker

• Get Involved! – Collaborative discussion on local challenges and opportunities

• The Changemaker Game – An engaging tool to inspire young leaders and community action

DMU is seeking around a dozen businesses to take part in this unique opportunity to help shape the future of the region’s young workforce while addressing community needs.

How to Join:

• To sign up for the 1 September roundtable, email Rachel Rouncefield at [email protected]

• To arrange a 1:1 meeting or online introduction prior to the event, email Morten Toft at [email protected]

About the Project:
This initiative stems from an international DMU research project on co-creation, which found that collaborative approaches not only strengthen relationships between young people and adults, but also drive meaningful, long-term change in local communities. By adapting these methods for Leicester and Leicestershire, the project aims to inspire youth engagement, improve employment pathways, and foster stronger connections between business and community.