Bradford Launches ‘20 Under 25’ Competition to Recognise Young Talent

New initiative seeks to highlight young people making an impact across the city

A new competition aimed at identifying and supporting Bradford’s most promising young individuals has been launched this week. The ‘Bradford 20 Under 25’ competition, a collaboration between Bradford College and BBC Radio Leeds, is designed to find 20 young people aged between 16 and 25 who are already contributing positively to the city and have potential for further achievement.

Competition launch and event details

The competition was officially announced at a Bradford 2025: UK City of Culture legacy event held at Bradford Live on 11 February. The event featured a panel discussion and live performances, with contributions from Bradford College’s Vice Principal for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Alina Khan, and BBC Radio Leeds Executive Editor, Simon Monk.

The panel discussed the importance of supporting young talent across various sectors, including technology, media, sport, sustainability, community action, and fundraising. The competition forms part of the ongoing legacy of Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture in 2025.

Selection process and benefits for winners

A panel of judges will select the final 20 winners from the nominations received. Those chosen will receive mentoring and support from Bradford College and BBC Radio Leeds. They will also gain access to business networks and an online profile to showcase their work.

Eligibility and nomination details

• Nominees must be aged between 16 and 25 during the competition period.
• They must live in the Bradford District.
• Nominees should demonstrate exceptional talent, ambition, and a proven track record of success in their chosen field.

Nominations can be submitted by individuals or by others on their behalf. Entries may include a one-minute video or a written statement of up to 250 words explaining why the nominee deserves recognition. Supporting evidence of achievements can also be uploaded.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, 10 April 2026. Nominations can be made via the competition webpage on the Bradford College website.

Examples of young leaders in Bradford

One example highlighted during the launch is Mohammed Ali Adnan, a Bradford College student and wheelchair user living with spina bifida. He is involved in college life, plays as a goalkeeper for the Bradford City Disability Football team, and has ambitions to work in air traffic control. Mohammed was also a recipient of the 2025 Yorkshire Asian Young Achiever Award.

Statements from organisers

Alina Khan from Bradford College emphasised the challenges young people face when trying to establish themselves in various industries and expressed the college’s commitment to supporting emerging talent.

Simon Monk of BBC Radio Leeds described the initiative as a valuable legacy project that will help keep Bradford in focus as a centre for future talent.

For more information and to submit nominations, visit Bradford College’s competition page.