We're supporting the Young Green Briton Challenge – and here’s why you should too
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Back in 2022, Dale invested in the Young Green Briton Challenge to give young people the opportunity to design, present and implement solutions to tackle climate change. It’s run as a collaboration between GenEarth, Social Innovation for All CIC and Ministry of Eco Education, bringing together volunteers and green professionals with a wealth of experience, and – most importantly – passion for sustainability and youth engagement. Two years later, the programme has supported over 6,000 KS3 students across 23 schools, with 91% of students saying that their understanding of climate change has grown since taking part.
How does it work?
The participating schools can run the Young Green Britain Challenge as part of the curriculum for a Key Stage 3 year group (Year 7, 8 or 9), or from next year also for Key Stage 4 (Year 10).
Teachers receive support and teaching materials to explore the topic of sustainability and climate change, including plastic pollution, biodiversity loss and food waste.
The Young Green Britain team and their volunteers visit the schools and deliver Design Sprint workshops, where students explore the causes and consequences of these issues before choosing one to come up with a solution for.
The teams then develop their ideas, whether it’s a campaign, product or service, and present their pitches to a panel of judges at an Eco Dragons Den, with a select few going through to the next round and receiving seed funding.
The teams continue to progress with their projects in the Make It Happen phase, accompanied by Challenge Mentors and seed funding.
One team is then picked from each school to attend the National Award Ceremony, where the most promising teams are chosen as winners by a panel of Young Green Briton Challenge Ambassadors.
The winning teams win further funding to grow their project!
Don’t just take our word for it – check out what the students have to say:
I enjoyed the fact that we actually got to have our voices heard because lots of the time people say, 'Oh it's all up to your generation', but we don't often have our opinions heard.Year 8 student, Stroud High School, Gloucestershire
It's a really good idea getting all the school kids involved in climate change problems so we can begin helping.Year 7 student, Sale Grammar School, Greater Manchester
To bring the Young Green Britain Challenge to more schools, to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to get involved, the team are crowdfunding to raise £15,000. And, for a limited time, Aviva will match every pound!*
Donate to the crowdfunder today and help bring the Young Green Britain Challenge to even more students. As the YGBC team say, “Talent is universal, even if opportunity is not.”
*For donations up to £250.
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