Our impact

With two years of funding, we helped them evolve their acclaimed Making for Change programme through the lens of the climate emergency. Their mission is to empower young people aged 16 to 25 from LGBTQIA+ and D/deaf communities to take creative climate action.

Year 1: LGBTQIA+ Voices for Climate

50 young people joined five artist-led workshops exploring craft as activism where they:

• learned new skills
• discussed climate issues
• discovered how identity and activism intersect.

Each session featured a thought-provoking message from a climate activist.

One participant said:

“This workshop made me think a lot more about sustainable materials and the importance of biodegradability.”

A further 21 young people attended:

• Climate Craft Café drop-in activities.
• A mini exhibition.
• Creative showcases including illustrations by young artists.

A core group continued with a four-day programme blending nature walks, creative sessions, and planning workshops.

Together, they installed three queer-friendly environmental notice boards in community spaces – embedding identity and sustainability. Participants left feeling safe, respected, and motivated to act.

Year 2: Climate Action in BSL

• Fully delivered in British Sign Language, led by a deaf artist for cultural relevance and accessibility.
• Engaged 10 deaf students (15–19) in climate science and creative activism.
• Students learned new climate-related BSL vocabulary, created protest banners, recycled art, and installations featuring BSL QR codes for public sharing.

One participant said:

“This project was a game changer for deaf pupils, enabling deep understanding and personal expression.”

The project helped nurture safe, inclusive spaces and creative activism. It also empowered these young voices to drive climate action.

With two years of funding, they launched Green Roots Tipton. This is a pilot project that engaged 227 young people in shaping a greener, more climate-resilient future for their town.

Through food, planting, wild gardening and craft, young people explored the question:

‘How can Tipton’s green spaces be community-led, sustainable and climate-ready?’

Hands-on activities and shared learning turned these ideas into action. This built skills, confidence and creativity while tackling climate challenges.

132 participants joined 21 workshops including:

• Albright Education Centre: 11 workshops, co-created a permanent outdoor seating structure.
• The Gathering Press: 61 young people explored climate themes through screen-printing.
• SHAPE Youth Forum: nine workshops built confidence to speak up and co-design resources on climate and social justice.
• This Is Real: eight young people created an eco-zine shared with 40+ eco-schools, plus a short mockumentary film.
• Cooking Workshops: 11 young people learned sustainable cooking skills.
• This Is Your Sun: 42 attendees across creative climate sessions.

Young people reported increased confidence, creative skills and environmental awareness. This helped them feel empowered to shape their communities and take climate action.

One participant said:

“The project has increased my knowledge for looking after the environment and increased my confidence in the arts.”

Find out more about their work.

With two years of funding, it piloted its first paid traineeship scheme focussing on the environment and horticulture.

The project:

• Supported 14 young people, with 11 no longer NEET after completing the programme.
• Helped participants gain practical green skills, confidence, and hands-on experience through activities like tree giveaways and community events. This made climate action tangible and empowering.
• Sparked real behaviour change – one participant started growing food at home after completing the programme.

Success stories include:

• Ben: now employed in litter picking – a role tailored to his special educational needs.
• Charlotte: works with Taylor Woodrow, delivering sustainability sessions in schools.
• Elliot: runs his own gardening business.
• Gerard: in a grounds work apprenticeship, aiming to return to landscaping.

Strong partnerships with BMet College and Birmingham City Council mean there was better integrated qualifications and training for young people.

Growth Path is now developing a new horticultural training and biodiversity project, aligned with Birmingham’s Big City Plan. This will keep building green skills and opportunities for the future.

With two years of funding, it continued to scale its Green Mentor programme. This project empowers school-age children and young people to lead climate action in their communities.

The project:

• Worked with three secondary schools and 13 primary schools, training 192 young people as Green Influencers. These influencers designed and delivered youth-led climate projects on their school sites.
• Delivered carbon literacy education to 500 children through classroom sessions and assemblies.
• Reached 1,500 children and young people during summer playschemes with workshops on how food choices impact the climate.
• Supported young people to train 1,000 more children in Staffordshire schools, creating a ripple effect of climate awareness.

The Green Mentor programme has empowered:

• Six schools to join the Let’s Get to 10% campaign to cut carbon emissions.
• 15 out of 16 schools to introduce Meat-Free Mondays in their meal plans, linking everyday choices to climate impact.

Handsworth Association of Schools is building a generation of informed, confident young climate leaders, creating practical change in schools and inspiring action far beyond the classroom.

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The Scottish Youth Film Foundation (SYFF) is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of young Scots through film and the creative screen industries. They break down barriers so young people can access media, tell their stories, and take control of their futures.

With two years of funding, SYFF brought a climate action lens to their work at the Scottish Parliament and the Festival of Politics.

The project:

• Trained 12 young people as journalists, running a TV station every night during the four-day festival.
• Created niche, impactful climate films, embedded into Festival shows and shared widely.
• Interviewed politicians, activists, and high-profile figures, giving young voices a platform in national conversations.
• Built confidence, skills, and exposure to journalism and activism for all participants.

One participant’s application film, Scotland’s Missing Orcas, won Best Documentary at the Scottish Youth Film Awards, showcasing the power of youth-led storytelling.

You can watch the content created by young people on SYFF’s YouTube channel.

Find out more about their work

Funding from the Foundation supported their WildEd Nature Education Programme. So far, the programme has reached 198 young people across eight schools and one youth group.

Over half (58%) of participants reported an improved connection to nature, environmental awareness and motivation to take action. And almost three quarters (73%) reported increased environmental skills, understanding and knowledge to make a difference.

The project held four residential summer camps, which engaged 44 young people. 95% of the 2024 campers then joined Action for Conservations’ Ambassador Programme. Both ambassadors and alumni undertook 110 actions for nature across the North West, including:

• Wetland restoration at Heartwood Social Farm in Matlock.
• Peatland restoration with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
• Litter picking at Pennington Flash Nature Reserve.

Thanks to the project:

• 88% of young people now report improved connection to nature and motivation to act.
• 75% of young people report increased environmental skills and knowledge.
• 88%  of young people feel more confident communicating environmental issues that matter to them.

Action for Conservation is building a youth movement that doesn’t just learn about nature—they take action to protect it.

With two years of funding, the charity delivered impactful environmental and community initiatives.

Over 200 young people participated, with a core group of 20 Eco Ambassadors leading climate action projects. Activities included:

• Wildlife tracking with Durham University using cameras
• Tree planting and naming a new nature reserve
• Climate education through practical projects like gardening, bird watching and litter picking
• Engagement with local MP Sam Rushworth, sparking political awareness and action

Young people developed confidence, presentation skills and environmental awareness. The project built strong partnerships between schools and community organisations. It also fostered pride and ownership among young people, particularly in under-served areas like Tow Law.

Building Self Belief is creating a generation of confident, environmentally aware young leaders who are shaping their communities for the better.

With support from the Foundation, they worked with 180 children from three local primary schools to explore environmental themes creatively, focusing on recycling, reusing and reducing plastic waste.

The organisation co-produced six interactive audio stories/podcasts with children, exploring themes such as:

• Recycling as much as possible.
• Reducing food waste.
• Choosing reusable products over single use.
• Cutting down plastic use.
• Shopping differently (renting, buying pre-loved items).

It also delivered 12 creative development sessions, resulting in six podcast episodes called Armchair Adventures.

Made by Mortals partnered with Plastic Shed, a Community Benefit Society tackling plastic pollution through creative reuse. This includes turning waste into items like bottle-top murals, purses, combs and jewellery.

The organisation then hosted teacher steering groups to reflect on impact and plan next phases.

Made By Mortals is inspiring children to think critically and creatively about sustainability—giving them the tools and confidence to influence change.

With our support, it worked with children and young people to explore the environmental issues that matter to them and the actions community can take.

The project initiated school residencies at Sandylands and West End Primary Schools, engaging 120 KS2 children in each school.

More Music held weekly Eco Collective sessions with five core young people who helped plan and deliver the festival. They also collaborated with local arts organisations, environmental groups and local government.

This led to a large-scale community festival in July, attracting around 2,000 attendees. The festival featured:

• live music
• poetry
• street theatre
• dance
• arts and crafts workshops
• environmental stalls focused on nature, sustainability and home energy use

Highlights from the festival include:

• The creation and performance of nine original songs by pupils at a community festival, performed live with a More Music band. These songs were later shared in whole-school assemblies.
• Young people taking on key roles including stage management, compering, social media and leading creative workshops.
• Partnerships with local artists and organisations enriched the event.
• A photography exhibition, Here Forever, showcasing personal connections to nature, with participants photographing places they want to protect.

After the festival, young people reported increased confidence, knowledge and agency around climate issues. Schools showed strong engagement by the end of the project, with enthusiasm for future collaboration. This shows the project delivered lasting impact – great songs, creative learning and a community event that brought environmental action to life.

Watch this video showcasing the Three Degrees event- Three Degrees Festival – YouTube

Read more about More Music

It’s on a mission to equip 160 BME young people (aged 11 to 17) with the knowledge and skills to take climate action. Through fun, hands-on activities, they connect climate literacy with everyday life.

Highlights of the project so far include:

• Climate Literacy & Games
  Kick-off event introduced climate concepts through interactive games and recruited 4 amazing youth volunteers.
• Upcycling & Repair Workshops
  From tote bags made out of old t-shirts to creative bracelets, young people learned practical ways to reduce waste.
• Cycling & Biodiversity Adventures
  Partnering with Pedal and Thrive, they ran cycle training and nature walks to Spylaw Park, Craiglockhart Hill, and Corstorphine Hill—combining fitness with environmental awareness.
• Edinburgh Climate Festival
  Their stall featured upcycling activities and climate games. Youth volunteers engaged the public and showcased sustainable living.
• Summer Trips with a Conservation Focus
  Visits to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Dynamic Earth, Burntisland Beach, and North Berwick Seabird Centre.
• New Allotment & Outdoor Book Club
  Young people now meet weekly to read inspiring climate books like The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and Rebel Girls Climate Warriors.

SCORE Scotland isn’t just teaching climate facts- it’s building a generation of confident, informed young leaders who care about the planet and their communities.

Now, it’s going further by helping children turn their ideas into a bilingual (English-Welsh) climate change computer game designed for kids. To do this, the organisation has par partnered with a youth worker, artist, and game designer.

Highlights of the project include:

• Rainforest animal sessions with a conservationist.
• DNA workshops with Techniquest.
• Nature trips to Forest Farm and Mumbles Beach.
• Storytelling festivals that children’s voices.
• A river music project that blends cultural and environmental themes.

The organisation is engaging 100 young people in Swansea who face intersecting challenges such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of opportunities. It runs weekly workshops and delivers outreach in local schools.

Activities chosen by young people include:

• DJing and music production
• Animation and virtual reality
• Creative projects exploring climate change

Highlights from the project include:

• Weekly youth club sessions in rural Gower with 12 regular attendees.
• Core creative group at Swansea MAD plus outreach sessions in schools.
• Biodiversity and environmental education activities.
• Building a weather station and producing climate-themed spoken word pieces.
• Participation in campaigns like Great Big Green Week and Meet & Code (coding for climate action).

While measuring long-term behavioural change is challenging, these projects are sparking awareness and action among young people.

This programme combines climate education with hands-on activities to inspire environmental action. This includes:

• Tailored workshops use visual aids and clear language to explain climate change and the impact of energy consumption.
• Practical sessions exploring ways to save energy at home and work—covering LED lighting, switching off appliances, and reducing water waste.
• Interactive workshops introducing solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy using tactile learning tools and models.
• Plans for small-scale renewable energy initiatives like shared solar gardens to show real-world benefits.
• Installing clothing bank installed at the hub to support fundraising.
• Garden maintenance through winter, with plans for spring planting and solar-powered watering systems.

Alongside accredited training for local young people, it delivers interactive sessions for 80 schoolchildren, inspiring them to think differently about sustainability.

The Composting for Change project gives young people the chance to earn a vocational qualification while creating a circular economy loop in the community. Young people are  learning hands-on skills in an outdoor setting, improving soil quality and reducing waste.

Over two years, Windswept has been working with eight young people each year, mostly aged 17 to 21 from deprived areas. It’s helping them gain skills, confidence, and qualifications for careers in the growing marine industry. This includes opportunities linked to offshore wind farms and climate action.

Participants learn core skills such as:

• marine species ID
• snorkelling for coastal surveys
• Stand-up paddleboard (SUP) access
•  Baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS) video analysis
• water safety
• seamanship

They also take part in enrichment activities such as seagrass restoration, seaweed harvesting, and marine survey trips. They can choose additional qualifications like snorkelling or SUP instructor, freediving, powerboat handling, and first aid.

This hands-on programme combines outdoor learning, conservation, and industry networking, giving young people real-world experience and a route into sustainable careers.

Highlights include:

• Practical sessions like snorkelling, paddleboarding, and free diving that have boosted confidence and interest in renewables.
• One participant securing a college place in engineering with ambitions for a career in offshore wind.
• Strong industry links built with Milford Haven Port Authority and local marine businesses.

Read more about their story

The organisation combines sustainability workshops, youth-led social action projects, and a digital campaign to spark real change and build a culture of environmental responsibility.

Sustainability workshops are weekly hands-on sessions in Newport and Denbighshire, giving young people aged 11 to 25 the skills and confidence to lead community climate projects.

Young co-producers drive local social action projects to create ripple effects of positive change such as:

• litter-picking
• recycling education
• upcycling workshops

The digital campaign is a youth-led online movement reaching thousands, promoting waste reduction and sustainable lifestyles across Wales.

So far, the project has led to:

• Seven young co-creators leading content on Instagram.
• 100 young people joining a litter-picking event in Newport.
• Popular bike maintenance workshops teaching sustainable travel and road safety.
• Sustainable fashion sessions teaching upcycling and sewing skills.
• North Wales outreach including gardening projects, beach cleans, and pop-up Youth Shedz workshops.

Youth Cymru isn’t just talking about climate action—we’re making it happen, led by young people, for their communities and their future.

Its two-year programme educates and empowers young refugees (16 to 25) to take action on climate change and displacement. Many of the young people come from regions most affected by climate crises. This project gives them the tools to advocate for change and lead solutions.

So far, the organisation has:

• Structured workshops on climate change and displacement for 48 young people over two years.
• Trained 10 young Climate Champions annually to engage 100+ community members through events and discussions.
• Embedded climate themes into music, podcasts, homework clubs, and social sessions.
• Helped young people create videos and documentaries to raise awareness in schools and communities.
• Provided mentorship through our Young Persons’ Steering Committee, connecting youth with decision-makers.
• Showcased achievements and propose practical solutions to funders and local authorities.

Project highlights include:

• 24 young people engaged in interactive climate workshops.
• 10 Climate Champions recruited and trained to lead outreach.
• Partnerships with 15 Refugee Community Organisations for wider engagement.
• Weekly filmmaking sessions producing a documentary on climate and migration.
• Climate topics embedded into podcasts, homework clubs, and youth steering meetings.
• 80 young people attending weekly sessions, with content delivered in native languages for better understanding.

This initiative builds young leaders, strengthens community engagement, and creates powerful advocacy tools led by refugees themselves. Together, they’re tackling climate change and displacement while fostering inclusion and opportunity.

This initiative is designed and delivered by young people to raise awareness of climate change through creative, educational, and community-focused activities. By partnering with local businesses and organisations, Swift Hearers aims to foster a wider commitment to environmental sustainability.

Older participants take leadership roles, mentoring younger peers and driving climate action projects. Activities include:

• interviews with stakeholders
• community outreach
• developing practical resources
• creating a climate awareness brochure and learning booklet

The sessions held at a community venue, with external trips to artist studios and bamboo workshops for hands-on learning. Participants are gaining confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of responsibility. Some continue their involvement even after moving to university. There are regular attendees and drop-ins, overcoming challenges like transport and language barriers.

This project is more than education. It’s about empowering young people to lead change, influence their communities, and create a sustainable future.

With this funding Diverse Youth NI is bringing 50 young people from North and South Belfast together to lead the fight against climate change. Through hands-on environmental activities, digital tools, and youth-led projects, the project will build knowledge, enthusiasm, and confidence to create real impact.

Activities include:

• Teaching climate science and sustainability with local relevance, giving young people the skills to lead change
• Running practical projects focused on reusing, repairing, and repurposing materials.
• Youth-led campaigns on waste reduction, energy efficiency, and conservation using social media and creative outreach.
• Digital tools and mentorship to plan projects and measure impact, aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

So far, the project has:

• Engaged 50+ young people across two age groups (6 to 12 and 13 to 25).
• Run activities such as beach cleanups, eco-art, tree planting, climate bingo, and campaigns tackling issues like vape waste.
• Created a Youth Advisory Panel that informs decisions, and some participants now sit on our Board of Trustees.
• Run popular workshops include bike maintenance and sustainable fashion, teaching practical skills and promoting lifestyle change.
• Adapted to challenges like local unrest with online sessions and residentials to keep engagement strong.

The organisation works with young people in Divis, Lower Shankill, and across Northern Ireland to explore how climate issues impact their communities and wider society. Using their Civic Youth Work model, they help groups design and deliver projects that make a difference.

Highlights from year one include:

• 24 young people (aged 15 to 18) engaged in climate-focused sessions.
• Youth-led projects like community cleanups and gardens, earning Ulster Wildlife Wild Youth Awards.
• Capturing authentic feedback with baseline surveys and focus groups
• Training young evaluators to assess impact in year two.
• Some attendees have joined their board of trustees, while others are being trains as campaign leaders.

Politics in Action’s future plans include:

• New cohorts recruited for year two, plus peer mentors from the first group.
• Bi-weekly sessions and residentials, with a focus on peer-led learning.
• Climate Fresk workshops to deepen understanding of climate science.
• A site visit to Lough Neagh and advocacy training to strengthen political engagement.
• Building a network ready to lobby government departments, ensuring youth voices shape climate policy and community action.