The UK newspaper, The Guardian, put together a list of 50 best new “Radicals” in Britain… people who are running innovations that are improving lives for fellow citizens. We looked through the list and selected the following 11 startups that are working on solutions in education or youth-related topics. At WiredAcademic, we like social entrepreneurs and we applaud these listed from the UK.

IDEAS TAP: Providing funding for young creatives

Launched in 2008 in response to the lack of support facilities and the impact the financial crisis was likely to have upon young creative people at the start of their careers, and the future of our creative industries,IdeasTap aims to provide direct cash funding to young creatives to help them get their ideas off the ground.

RESPECT4US: Tailored lessons for kids excluded from school

An alternative education provider, staffed by professionals, providing an alternative curriculum for secondary school children who have failed to make progress or have been excluded from mainstream schooling. Each young person is individually mentored and has a tailored learning programme ensuring their particular needs are met.

WORKINGRITE: Matching school leavers with local tradesmen

Workingrite is a community interest company that delivers work-based mentoring and learning projects for 16-19-year-olds in Scotland, matching them with local tradesmen. It has proved to be a cost-effective method of introducing non-academic school leavers to work without their lack of qualifications being a barrier.

START AGAIN: Helping young people to lead a fuller life

Launched by Mark Peters, a Birmingham-based sports instructor and community youth worker, Start Again provides a variety of services to young people aimed at supporting their personal development. Seventy-five per cent of programme participants are now engaged in further education.

ACCESS SPACE: Free digital drop-in centre

Access Space is a free internet learning centre based in Sheffield and run by a small team of employed staff and a vast number of local volunteers. It is used by thousands of learners each year to share information. The centre focuses on providing drop-in activities and support sessions along with one-off workshops and uses only recycled computers and free open source software.

CONRAD WOLFRAM: Using computers to modernise maths

Conrad Wolfram is a prominent proponent of the reform of maths education through greater use of IT. He is the founder of computerbasedmath.org, a project aiming to build a new curriculum with computers at its heart.

THE BRILLIANT CLUB: Preparing poor pupils for top universities

It widens access to top universities for bright people from poor backgrounds by training PhD students to deliver university-style tutorials to small groups of high-performing pupils. Launched in 2011 by Jonathan Sobczyk and Simon Coyle, it now works with 25 London schools. and is looking to expand its reach into other regions.

LIVITY: Youth engagement agency

Livity shares its Brixton office with 12- to 21-year-olds from various backgrounds who work with the company on their campaigns , providing youthful insight and creativity. In return the young people benefit from access to professional mentors, accredited training and equipment to produce their own magazines.

IRIS LAPINSKI: The woman introducing apps to schools

Iris Lapinski is CEO of CDI Europe, the European hub of the Centre for Digital Inclusion, and Apps for Good, where young people learn to create mobile and Facebook apps. The partnership between Facebook and Apps for Good has been praised by Michael Gove.

SQUARE MILE INITIATIVE: Engaging students with the local community

Last April, Professor Dominic Shellard launched the Square Mile initiative, introducing the staff and students at Leicester’s De Montfort University to residents from three local communities in a bid to meet their most pressing needs.

MIKE BRACKEN: The coalition’s digital don

Mike Bracken is the government’s new executive director of digital. The role was created following the Martha Lane Fox review of Directgov, which recommended the government save money, improve service delivery and put users first.

Via The Guardian