£20,000 Up for Grabs: Young People Can Win Funding for Climate Action Projects

Funding and Mentorship for Environmental Projects

Young people across the UK now have the chance to win part of a £20,000 funding pot for projects tackling climate change, as the Woodland Trust opens applications for its youth innovation competition.

Now in its third year, the competition offers funding and mentorship from the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity to support young environmentalists in launching their own projects. Six individuals or small groups, aged between 16 and 25, will each receive up to £6,000 in project funding along with guidance from leading industry experts to help bring their ideas to life.

Past Winners Inspire New Applications

Previous winners of the competition have launched various successful projects, including a clothes upcycling workshop, a campaign to protect ancient trees, and wildlife photography exhibitions. One notable winner, Moiz Siddiqi, used the funding to create his business, Me-eco—a mindfulness-based product that allows people to write their worries on seeded paper, plant it, and watch it grow alongside their own wellbeing.

Moiz described the experience as “genuinely life-changing,” highlighting how the competition helped turn his basic concept into a fully-fledged start-up. He emphasised the importance of taking the first step in bringing an idea to life, noting that the Woodland Trust’s support made the journey less daunting.

Open to All Backgrounds

Grace Howourth, head of youth reimagined at the Woodland Trust, encouraged young people from all walks of life to apply. “You don’t have to be from an experienced environmental or conservation background or have academic qualifications to enter, as we are looking for people from all backgrounds and walks of life to enter with a great idea that can impact woods, wildlife and people,” she said.

The top 18 applications will be invited to take part in workshops designed to help them professionally pitch their project ideas. Finalists will then present their environmental innovations to a panel of celebrity judges and experts.

Applications Open Now

Applications for the competition are now open and will close on Monday, 20 January 2025. For more information on how to apply, please visit the Woodland Trust website or email youth@woodlandtrust.org.uk.

About the Woodland Trust

Founded in 1972, the Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, with over 500,000 members and supporters. The charity owns and cares for more than 1,000 woodland sites, covering around 33,000 hectares across the UK. The Woodland Trust is committed to protecting ancient woodland, restoring damaged woodland, and establishing new native trees to create resilient landscapes for both people and wildlife. Access to all Woodland Trust sites is free, allowing everyone to experience the benefits of trees and nature.

For more information about the Woodland Trust, visit their website.

Photo: Youth Innovation Previous Winners