The Foundation

The Energy Saving Trust Foundation is the charitable arm of Energy Saving Trust, established in 2014.

We champion youth-led climate action. We fund and support organisations that empower young people experiencing inequality, ensuring they have the resources, opportunities, and confidence to lead meaningful climate action.

• Young people are the generation most affected by the climate emergency.
• Those experiencing inequality are disproportionately impacted—facing greater risks and fewer resources to respond.
• Many young people report feeling overwhelmed and anxious about the climate and other intersecting crises. In fact, 26% of young people reported that eco-anxiety affected their daily functioning.
• Less than half (48%) of young people feel ignored or dismissed when they talked with others about climate change.

Despite the urgency, funding for youth-led climate action remains critically low:

• Only around 8.5% of total UK foundation giving is directed toward environmental causes.
• Of the £687.2 million in global environmental grants, just 17% is focused on the UK.
• Less than 1% of climate justice funding reaches young people.

• Smaller charities, who make up 80% of the sector, receive just 3% of available funding.
• Small, community-rooted organisations play a vital role in reaching underserved people. But they often operate with limited staff, stretched leadership, and fragile organisational systems.
• Tailored organisational development support eg governance strengthening, income diversification, and leadership coaching, helps small charities become more effective, adaptable and confident.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss supporting the Foundation, please email The Foundation.

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