A YOUNG entrepreneur has received funding to search out and celebrate the next business leaders in Test Valley. 

Bringing Andover Together, a community interest company (CIC) set up by Dmitrijs Meiksans, is looking to continue the successful young entrepreneurs' program - dubbed the Youth in Test Valley Awards, which was started in 2022.

Last year the competition was won by Freya Hope, a student at Harrow Way Community School, for her idea of curating an arcade in the town, designed to be a safe space for young people. 

The CIC applied to Andover Town Council for £650 towards the cost of running the contest which will next take place in February 2024.

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The grant was considered by the council at a meeting at The Lights, on Wednesday, October 18.

Last year, the scheme saw three young people receive mentorship from businesses and has even seen one of the scheme's successful young entrepreneurs aspire to open a cat café in Andover town centre.

The contest will take place in February 2024, with the lead-up to the event beginning this month. 

The current competition has a big focus on volunteering and work experience as part of the project, with encouragement to better the community and to create and improve opportunities for young people. 

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Currently, Dmitrijs is working to secure funding and sponsorship for the scheme, with the hope of working jointly with multiple groups including the Andover BID, Chamber of Commerce, councils, town businesses, and charities to bring it all together. 

Cllr Mark Farren asked how funds from the town council would be spent, to which Dmitrijs said: "The £650 from the town council will be used to set up the infrastructures of the volunteering opportunities, so once we have all the applicants in we will directly email them and have ongoing conversations, and hopefully be able to allocate with as many as possible volunteering or work experience opportunities in and around Andover with partner organisations and businesses.

"Additionally, the funds will be used for the marketing of the programme to ensure we have as many young people as possible involved within the programme this year."

Cllr Stu Waue asked how Dmitrijs plans to gain more support from local schools to improve involvement in the scheme, the young entrepreneur said he was hoping to meet directly with schools to ensure that as many young people are taking part as possible.

Cllr Jason Sangster proposed the grant be accepted, which was seconded by Cllr Farren. The town council voted unanimously in favour of the grant.