South Wales and West of England Network
Project Management Challenge 2026
The South Wales and West of England (SWWE) Project Management Challenge gives aspiring project professionals the opportunity to apply project management skills in a real-world setting while making a positive impact in local communities.
Working in teams and supported by experienced mentors, participants develop valuable technical, leadership and teamwork skills, gain hands-on experience, and build confidence alongside peers from industry and higher education. It's a chance to learn, collaborate, make a difference, and compete for exciting prizes.
Theoretical frameworks
Draw on these core APM resources as you develop your project and enhance your learning.
APM Body of Knowledge
A foundational resource covering the concepts, functions and activities that make up professional project management. Use it as an academic reference to inform your team’s approach and methodologies.Submit your deliverables
Use the links below to submit each deliverable by the stated deadline
• Upcoming
❷ Project plan submission
Submit your team's project plan for assessment by the judging panel.
Deadline
10 December 2026
• Upcoming
❸ Mid-project review 1
Share your first progress update and mentor feedback.
Deadline
29 January 2027
• Upcoming
❹ Mid-project review 2
Provide the second progress update for your project.
Deadline
26 February 2027
• Upcoming
❺ Final report submission
Submit your final report, outcomes, benefits and lessons learned.
Deadline
9 April 2027
• Upcoming
❻ Storyboard submission
Submit your team's visual project story for Finals Night
Deadline
27 May 2027
Free publications to support your project
Practical guidance to help your team plan, monitor and management project risks.
FAQs
Who can enter Project Management Challenge?
The challenge is open to corporate graduates, apprentices or trainees who have less than three years of experience in a project role, or students who are undertaking study during the period in which the competition runs. If you meet these criteria, talk to your peers or colleagues to form a team and submit your entry form.
Do I need to be an APM member to take part in Project Management Challenge?
No. The Project Management Challenge is designed to support aspiring and early-career project professionals in developing their skills, so it is open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria, whether or not they are an APM member.
Why should I enter?
Enter Project Management Challenge if you want to improve your project management skills, increase your profile within the project community and experience a full project lifecycle, whilst supporting a cause that benefits society.
How can I enter my team?
If you have already identified a team of participants for the competition, please complete and submit the entry form naming your team’s participants. Please return your completed form to the email address provided.
What is the time commitment to take part?
As teams plan their own resourcing, this is largely dependent on the scope of their project and their role. As an estimate, previous participants advised that they spent around 2-3 hours a week once they reach the project delivery phase.
What happens during the competition?
Teams develop an idea for a project before creating and submitting a project proposal to a judging panel. Teams are encouraged to deliver a project which will provide social benefit. If the judges approve the project, teams will go on to deliver the initiative under the guidance of a mentor.
What happens if I miss a submission deadline?
If you miss a submission deadline, you can still submit your entry; however, late submission penalties will be applied. Teams are encouraged to submit by the published deadlines wherever possible to avoid any impact on their overall score.
What is the role of the sponsor?
As part of the challenge, the project sponsor should be a senior representative from the organisation or HEI who endorses the team's participation in the competition. The sponsor confirms that the organisation supports the entry, that appropriate approvals and resource commitments are in place, and that the team has permission to represent the organisation throughout the competition. Sponsors should be identified before entry submission and are encouraged to review the team's final report.
Is funding provided for the project?
If your project progresses to the delivery phase, APM will reimburse finalists for money spent, up to a maximum of £150 per team. Spending will be retrospectively reimbursed through APM’s expense claim process and should be accompanied by full receipts for each claim.
Which APM Regional Networks are participating?
How can I contact you?
Please contact us by sending an email.