Creative Foundation Funds Young Creative’s Education

The Creative Circle has used money raised through the annual awards show and Creative Foundation to cover the course fees of a promising young creative. With further Foundation funds from entry fees committed to supporting young people across the UK - who are facing potentially the toughest job market in decades.

Taqi, who is aged 19 and is currently seeking asylum in the UK, spent three years volunteering with Creative Director Neda Shadanlou, before his work was brought to the attention of Havas CCO and chair of Creative Foundation, Vicki Maguire. Taqi, who had twice been previously accepted to study Graphic Design was blocked at funding stage because of his asylum status. 

UCAS advises that access to funding for higher education is restricted for asylum seekers. Unlike many other European countries, asylum seekers in the UK are not granted right to work after six months, providing young people with unsurmountable barriers to opportunity.  

The Creative Circle endeavours to champion and support all young creatives, and after approval by the Creative Foundation board of trustees, the organisation committed to covering Taqi’s course fees, maintenance, and equipment grant for one year with a commitment to help raise the funds to cover his other two years. Additional financial support has been pledged by the newly launched agency Motel, with the agency meeting the contributions raised by employees, friends, and their families. 

“Talent like Taqi should be given every opportunity to thrive and develop” said Havas CCO, Vicky Maguire, “we’ve added another diverse voice to our creative community.” 

With 100% of Creative Circle membership and 10% of all awards entries pledged to the Creative Foundation, grants and sponsorship for young people have been paid for by the creative industry the foundation aims to support. And with the announcement of the UK Creative Festival in 2021, Circle CEO Jeremy Green is aiming to launch a fully inclusive annual event dedicated to improving representation and further supporting young people in the creative industries. 

“The Creative Circle belongs to the creative community” said Jeremy. “It has always been a conduit for positive change, and we’re proud that we can use some of the money raised through the awards to give a voice to a promising young creative. In 2021 we’re launching the UK Creative Festival; we’ve been overwhelmed with the support we’ve received so far, but we still need more help to do our part in tackling industry representation on a systemic level.” 

Taqi commented: “I had to leave my home and family when I was 14. I was not aware of the difficulties ahead of me. On this kind of journey anything can happen, from being held at gunpoint and struggling in a dinghy on the Mediterranean Sea, to sleeping rough and trying to find your feet in a new society. Education is my goal but being an asylum seeker without the right to work or study I was frozen out of life. Now I have a way back in.”

Supporting the work of the Creative Circle and the Creative Foundation is simple. Get involved in the awards and find out how you can help the creative community support the future of advertising at the 2021 UK Creative Festival.