Activity Category: Entrepreneurship

Activity Type: Skills Development

Sector Focus: Creative Industries

Target Audience: Young people developing entrepreneurial skills, schools, local businesses and enterprise partners.

Businesses Involved:

• Fife Fabrications (John Penman)
• EAS (Stewart Herron)
• Business Gateway (Hannah Morton)
• CR Smith (Carol-Ann Hibbert)
• Social Enterprise Academy (Kirsten Watson)
• Culture of Enterprise (Celia Sinclair)
• The Thirty Co (Ryan Raeburn)

Originally designed in 2025 by Ryan Hepburn and Darren Wilson, the Big Bag Challenge was reintroduced in 2026 by Samantha Dick with the support of Ryan Hepburn and the DYW Fife Central Team. The programme was created to develop young people’s enterprise, creativity and employability skills through a hands-on business challenge.

The DYW Fife Big Bag Enterprise Challenge Final took place at Fife Fabrications in Glenrothes, with the venue generously provided by Managing Director John Penman. The event brought together schools, employers, partners and business leaders from across Fife to celebrate the achievements of young people who had participated in the programme.

Nine schools took part in the challenge, with five schools progressing to the final event. The intended outcomes were to develop enterprise and employability skills, increase confidence, encourage creativity and innovation, and provide opportunities for young people to engage with employers in a professional environment.

The Big Bag Challenge was supported by a range of local employers and enterprise partners who volunteered their time, expertise and feedback throughout the programme and final event.

Representatives from Fife Fabrications, EAS, Business Gateway, CR Smith, Social Enterprise Academy, Culture of Enterprise and The Thirty Co attended the final and engaged directly with young people.  Their involvement helped ensure learners received meaningful employer engagement and valuable insight into business and entrepreneurship.

Five schools progressed to the final and delivered presentations to a panel of employers and business representatives:

• Glenwood High School (Winners)
• Beath High School
• St Andrews RC High School
• Bell Baxter High School
• Inverkeithing High School

Each school presented their business idea, creative designs and enterprise journey to the audience, demonstrating the work they had undertaken as part of the challenge.

During the final event, students presented their business concepts, showcasing their product development, branding, market research and sales strategies. Learners explained the thinking behind their ideas and reflected on the skills they had developed throughout the programme.

The presentations highlighted strong examples of creativity, teamwork, problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking. Young people confidently shared their experiences with employers and industry representatives, gaining valuable experience of presenting within a professional business setting.

The event offered participants the opportunity to receive feedback from local employers, network with business professionals and celebrate their achievements. It also provided employers with an opportunity to see first-hand the talent, innovation and potential of young people across Fife.

Partner and Employer Feedback

Matt Stewart, Entrepreneur Me

“As always it was my joy to support the proceedings, meet the kids and the business partners as well as delight in the enterprising spirit shown. Well done all.”

Pat Graham, Entrepreneur and Guest

“DYW Fife Big Bag Challenge is an inspiring event. Delighted to have been invited. As an entrepreneur, celebrating the range of skills that pupils developed from participating in this event.”

Ken Richards, DYW Fife Board Member

“It was indeed an inspiring morning and good to meet with you. Huge congratulations to the participating schools and the innovative ways that they rose to the DYW Fife Big Bag Challenge.”

Mark McLeod, Andrew Carnegie Birthplace

“Well done everyone, we look forward to meeting those who come along to learn more about Andrew Carnegie and what he filled his big bags with.”

Stewart Herron, CEO, EAS

“What a great event to be part of! The young people involved should be very proud of their efforts and I’m sure they all have a very bright future in business when the time comes. The DYW Fife do a great job within the sector and provide the youth of tomorrow with the skills and opportunities to progress into full time employment.”

Young People Feedback

When asked what they enjoyed most about the project, young people commented:

“Collaborating and learning about our cause.”

“All the designs and hearing about other peoples groups.”

“Getting to share our ideas.”

“Winning!”

“I enjoyed improving on all skills and making friends.”

“I love it because it inspired me to go up and stand with my classmates.”

“I enjoyed everything about today and wish to work here again.”

Key Outcomes and Impact

The Big Bag Challenge Final provided a valuable opportunity for young people to showcase their creativity, innovation and enterprise skills to a real business audience. An additional positive outcome of the programme was the significant increase in learner confidence, particularly in relation to public speaking and presenting their ideas to unfamiliar audiences.

• Increased confidence and presentation skills among participating learners.
• Development of employability and enterprise skills including teamwork, communication and problem-solving.
• Strong engagement and collaboration between schools and local employers.
• Opportunities for young people to showcase creativity and innovation in a professional environment.
• Increased awareness of enterprise, entrepreneurship and future career pathways.

The event successfully demonstrated the value of meaningful employer engagement and highlighted the positive impact that enterprise education can have on young people’s aspirations, skills development and readiness for the world of work.