Twelve organisations from across the UK have been awarded funding to develop projects focused on inspiring young people to take action on the climate emergency. The grants have been awarded to charities and community interest groups by the Energy Saving Trust Foundation’s Youth Climate Action Fund, which is part funded by Airbnb.
The organisations from across Wales, Scotland, and the north of England will each get two-year grants of up to £40,000 to continue and expand their important work.
The successful initiatives include:
- a project supporting young people in Morecambe to deliver a climate change festival.
- journalism training focussed on climate change for a group of young people in Edinburgh.
- a range of creative workshops to support young people experiencing inequality to take action on the climate emergency in Swansea.
Jim Metcalfe, chair of the Energy Saving Trust Foundation, said:
“Young people across the UK are committed to tackling the climate emergency. Our aim as a Foundation is to back young people to feel confident about taking climate action because we know that many may not have the opportunities and tools to get started, especially if they are experiencing social exclusion. We’re proud to announce the charities and organisations across the country who we will be working with over the next two years to deliver climate-focused projects in local communities.”
Amanda Cupples, General Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb, said:
“Young people have an important role to play as the next generation of climate leaders. We are proud to support organisations that are inspiring and equipping young people with the tools they need to drive change in their communities and beyond.”
More Music in Morecambe, Swansea MAD and the Scottish Youth Film Foundation are three of the charities from across the UK that will receive grants.
Community music, arts and education charity, More Music in Morecambe will use the funding to deliver workshops in schools. The charity will alsosupport young people to deliver a climate change festival.
CEO of More Music, Kathryn MacDonald said:
“More Music is delighted to receive this award from the Energy Saving Trust Foundation. It’s exactly the kind of investment we need to empower young people to learn, in an exciting and creative way, about the climate emergency and the changes they can make in their own lives and in their community.”
Swansea MAD will deliver a range of creative workshops to educate, inspire and support young people experiencing inequality to take action on the climate emergency.
Rachel Benson from the grassroots youth and community charity said:
“Swansea MAD are really looking forward to being part of the Youth Climate Action Fund. Supported by the Energy Saving trust Foundation, we’ll be facilitating creative opportunities for young people to express themselves and the things which matter to them and to take action on the climate emergency.”
Scottish Youth Film Foundation, based in Edinburgh, will train a small group of young people as journalists at the Scottish Parliament Festival of Politics, focusing on the climate emergency.
David Barras, SYFF’s executive director said:
“We are delighted to be partnering with the Energy Saving Trust Foundation over two years to produce the ‘Festival of Politics Youth TV’ programme from the Scottish Parliament. With this commitment the Energy Saving Trust Foundation are showing not only their dedication to dealing with climate change but also their dedication to young people; enabling them to take part in the world’s most important conversations and amplifying the voices of those who will be most affected by climate change. By committing to multiple years they are also giving the project the greater stability it requires to grow and succeed”.
This is the first round of national funding awarded by the Energy Saving Trust Foundation’s Youth Climate Action Fund which is part funded by Airbnb. This follows a successful pilot launch in the West Midlands last year.
For more information, visit our page on the Foundation. Charities and community interest groups from across the UK that might be interested in future funding opportunities are encouraged to look out for further communication from the Foundation.