Empowering Youth Through Music, Climate Action, and Entrepreneurship

How it works

Empowering Youth Through Innovation

Key Features of Our Educational Framework

A group of people are playing guitars and drums on a stage.

Music Integration

Our framework harnesses the power of music to inspire creativity and collaboration among youth, allowing them to express themselves while learning essential life, social entrepreneurial and climate action skills.

A man wearing a global warning t-shirt is standing in front of a statue.

Climate Action Focus

We prioritize ecological responsibility, teaching participants to implement sustainable practices and address climate challenges through their projects.

A man wearing a hat and a denim jacket is standing in front of a red building.

Entrepreneurship Development

Participants gain hands-on experience in creating and managing Event Social Enterprises, equipping them with vital business skills for future success.
A large group of children in purple uniforms are standing in a grassy field.

Community Engagement

Our framework fosters collaboration with local organizations, enhancing community ties and ensuring that youth projects have a meaningful impact.
A group of young men are posing for a picture while holding a plaque

Leadership Skills

Through real-world roles in their teams, participants develop leadership and teamwork skills that prepare them for future challenges.

A group of people are dancing in front of a building.

Creative Expression

We encourage original content creation, allowing youth to showcase their talents and contribute to the cultural landscape of their communities.

Blastbeat Program

Blastbeat is an award winning multi-disciplinary International Social Enterprise & Music Business program and competition for second level or High Schools. Blastbeat has Music as its core product and also its hook, as music and multimedia is a key interest for the majority of teenagers. Pupils from each of the schools will form their own Events Social Enterprise or ESE for short.


Program Format

The Program is currently being updated. Learn More here

 

Main Job Positions within the ESE

There are several very important jobs required to run successful Music and Multimedia business.


  1. CEO
  2. Vice CEO / Secretary
  3. IT and Multimedia Manager
  4. Sales / Marketing Manager
  5. Finance and Company Secretary
  6. Event / Security Manager
  7. Public Relations (PR) and Community Outreach Manager
  8. Social Media Manager
  9. Talent Scout / Artist Liaison / Hospitality
  10. Journalist / Multimedia Manager
  11. Ecology, ESG, CSR Manager
  12. Art & Design Manager
  13. Content Creation Manager
  14. Photographer / Videographer


A group of people holding plaques in front of a blastbeat banner

Teachers do not need any prior knowledge of the program or the workings of a company. The role of the teacher is as a mentor to the students involved as well as a supervisor of a weekly company meeting within the school. However, students will be doing most of the work themselves outside of school hours.

The Blastbeat team will provide the framework for the students work, and full support for the school in the form of an interactive website, helpline, and regular school visits by key Blastbeat team leaders. Ideally a teacher will attend the 3 regional events - The School Concert, The Regional Final, and The National Final.


TEACHERS : Empower Your Students

Become a Program Mentor

How do I get Involved?

If you are a Teacher/Educator and you would like your school to get involved then all you have to do is:

  • Show interest and join the program today
  • We will send you a Blastbeat information pack.
  • We will contact you to arrange a presentation with your class.


Each ESE (Events Social Enterprise) chooses six bands to perform at their concert.


All genres of music are welcome from pop to rock to hip hop to country to folk to classical to heavy metal to punk etc, but the final decision rests with the MMC and their A&R team.



Winning bands from the school heats go forward to the Regional Finals and the winners from the Regional Finals qualify for the National Final.


Wildcard bands are also chosen by Blastbeat throughout the competition, so even if you don't win your Battle of The Bands there is still a chance you may qualify for the Regional Finals or even the National Final. Bands/Musicians will be judged by industry experts based on the quality of their original material.

BANDS AND CREATIVES

Bands and Content Creators

Blastbeat is also open to unsigned bands & musicians looking to make a mark on the local and global music scene

A group of people are playing instruments on a stage in front of a sign that says 29

How do I get Involved?

If you are a Teacher/Educator and you would like your school to get involved then all you have to do is:

If you are in a Band or a budding Musician/Songwriter and you want to enter the Blastbeat Competition all you have to do is:

  • Show interest and join the program today
  • Find an MMC near you in the Our Schools.


A group of people posing for a picture with a woman wearing headphones t-shirts

The support and approval of parents is vital to us and to the success of our program. As a parent you can spread the good word of Blastbeat to other parents, teachers and teenagers, so that we can bring the program to schools in your community

PARENTS/COMMUNITY

As a parent your support is vital! You can be an Ambassador for Blastbeat and encourage teachers and students to take up the Challenge.

How do I get Involved?

If you are a Parent and you would like some more information on Blastbeat and to get a school in your community involved all you have to do is:

  • Show interest and join the program today
  • We will send you and your nominated teacher/school an information pack.
  • We will contact your nominated school to arrange a presentation with the teacher & students.

Empowering Voices, Inspiring Change

Yesterday I opened my eyes on the side where my dreams were taken as a joke—where poverty was my enemy. But one day I realized my soul, my passion, is richer than the richest people according to my economy. Blastbeat became a journey that brought joy to my heart, recognition to my school, and happiness to my soul. You brought me the world."

 — Student, Cape Town (Blastbeat South Africa)

360,000+

Students Empowered Globally

10 million

Youth Target by 2030

80%

Participants Reporting Increased Confidence

75%

Improvement in Teamwork Skills

Steps in the BlastBeat Program

Development

Youth form Event Social Enterprises (ESEs), where they collaborate on projects that address local social and environmental issues.

Production

Participants manage all aspects of event production, from marketing to logistics, ensuring a hands-on learning experience.

Transformative Experiences with BlastBeat

Empowering Youth Through Music and Action

Empowering Voices, Inspiring Change

"You can see children changing in front of your eyes. Blastbeat doesn’t teach business in a classroom—it teaches it in real life, through something they love. It’s transformative for students and staff alike."


 - Principal, Northwood School

Upcoming Youth Events

BlastBeat Showcase

June 15, 2025

Join us for an exciting event where youth will present their innovative projects and musical talents, highlighting their commitment to climate action and entrepreneurship.

Cape Town, South Africa

Eco Music Concert

July 22, 2025

Celebrate postive Climate Actions with us! This festival will feature performances by young artists and workshops focused on sustainability and social entrepreneurship.

Cape Town, South Africa

Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 1 - What is an ESE?

    • An ESE is an Events Social Enterprise. These are the companies that the students create in order to participate in the Blastbeat programme.
    • Between 6 and 15 students are required to create the ESE.
    • Each student takes on a role fundamental to the running of the company.
    • CEO, Sales and Marketing Manager, Finance Manager, PR Manager, Photographer, IT Manager, Journalist, Promoter/Event Manager and Film Director are just some of the roles available. In addition, there are a number of part-time positions available.
    • Students in the full time management positions in the company will need to attend at least one meeting per week and undertake specific tasks and assessments which are then graded by BlastBeat team leaders.
    • Tasks include: setting up a website, formulating a business plan, scouting for bands and musicians, producing and promoting the concert, and performance assessment.
    • The students must work together and manage their time effectively in order to achieve the overall objective of creating and running a successful company and organising a music concert featuring six bands.

  • 2 - What are the rules of selection for the bands?

    • A max of two bands only can be from the ESE's school
    • At least one significant member (i.e. not the tambourine player) of the band must be currently in second level education at the time of selection
    • A participating band does not have to be from the school where the ESE is based.
    • No band can be in any more than one ESE Blastbeat concert.
    • An individual musician or person can be in more than one band at the same time, as long as the other band contains more than two different members.
    • The band must not be already signed to a record company or publishing company.
    • The band must not play more than one cover song in their performance, which should be a 15 minute set or 3 songs whichever is shortest.
    • All types or styles of music are permissible, including Rock, Punk, Metal, Pop, Country, Folk, Hip Hop, Rap, R+B, Blues, Jazz etc.
    • All judges decisions are FINAL and no debate will be entered into over judges decision.

  • 3 - What do ESEsdo for the Regional Finals?

    ESEs will continue to promote their bands for the Regional Finals and National Finals should their bands qualify.

    ESEs will pre-sell tickets for the event and promote the event in their schools & communities.


  • 4 - Who Judges the Blastbeat Events?

    The ESE concert will be judged by Music & Media industry experts. There will be 3 judges present at each ESE concert. 1 representative from Blastbeat will judge each ESE event. The other 2 judges will be sourced by the ESE and will ideally be a representative from the local press and also the local radio.

    Judges for the Regional & National Finals will be chosen by Blastbeat and will be music & media industry experts as well as representatives from Blastbeat.


  • How do I know how well my ESE is performing in relation to other MMCs’?

    Each ESE is appraised monthly based on the completion of the various assessments outlined in the Blastbeat programme.

    Blastbeat Regional managers will inform the ESEs of their points tally at the end of each month.

    ESEs will not know their position relative to other MMCs until the winners are announced at the National Final event and the league table is posted on this website post event.


  • 6 - How does the Exhibition work at the National Final?

    All participating ESEs from both Module 1 & Module 2 will attend the Blastbeat exhibition and will present all the work that they have done throughout the year at their display stand. Items that should be displayed would include the business plan, their Blastspace profile, artwork, photographs, editorial pieces, journalistic articles and videos etc.

    Each ESE can have a maximum of 8 company members to present at their stands for the Blastbeat Exhibition.

    Each ESE should have at least 3 good speakers present at the exhibition so that there is always at least one well informed person available at all times to represent the mini company in conversation with the judges.

    20% of the total marks is going for the end of year presentation and this will be judged by representatives from Blastbeat as well as a variety of independent judges from various different business backgrounds.


  • 7 - How many bands qualify for the Regional & National Finals?

    • To be updated

  • 8 - What are the prizes for the Winning Bands & ESEs??

    • To be updated

Get Involved with BlastBeat

Join the Movement

Become a part of the BlastBeat community! Whether through donations, partnerships, or active participation, your involvement can help empower youth to tackle climate challenges, express their creativity through music, and develop entrepreneurial skills. Together, we can inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators.

Contact Us