But…what is a SuperSquad?
A practical, paid work experience programme where teens engage with real business and societal challenges.
Smart Cities are often developed with technology at the centre—but not always with communities in mind. Leeds City Council wanted to change that by directly engaging local young people in reimagining what a Smart Leeds could look like, with a focus on inclusion, sustainability, and innovation.
Sherpas, in turn, aimed to give teenagers from a diverse range of backgrounds access to paid, skill-building experiences—ensuring the future of the city is co-created by those who will inherit it.
Students engaged deeply with issues affecting their communities—from safety and sustainability to transport and digital access.
Their top ideas reflected bold thinking grounded in real-world needs:
CarouCELL – A playground that generates clean energy through movement.
Eco-Friendly Gyms – Fitness centres that power themselves and nearby areas.
Leeds City Connect – A smart app to help residents and visitors navigate the city.
Travel and Go – A user-friendly transport app with live updates and accessibility features
One of the clearest insights? 94% of students said the council should engage more communities in decisions about Leeds’ future—a compelling case for deeper youth involvement in local governance. The SuperSquad with Leeds City Council set a new standard for youth-led innovation in civic planning.
The impact of the SuperSquad didn’t end in Leeds. A selection of the students’ top ideas was showcased at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, putting their voices and creativity on an international stage.
The exhibition highlighted how young people can offer fresh, practical perspectives on urban innovation—sparking interest from city leaders and organisations around the world.
Leave your details and we will be in touch shortly!
Contains a detailed overview of the programmes and a bid support appendix
We are a member of the Disability Confident scheme, creating a movement of change, thinking differently about disability, and taking action to improve how we recruit, retain, and develop disabled people.
Be the first to know about our latest updates and more!
