Woodland Trust offers young people climate change £20,000 prize pot

The Woodland Trust has opened a £20,000 competition to young people for projects tackling climate change.

Igniting Innovation, a youth innovation competition and now in its third year, offers funding and mentorship from the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity for six individuals or small groups, aged between 16 and 25, wanting to launch their own environmental projects.

Previous winners have included a clothes upcycling workshop, a campaign to protect ancient trees and wildlife photography exhibitions.

Six individuals or small groups will win up to £6,000 project funding each, along with mentorship from leading industry experts to deliver projects which directly fight the climate crisis.

Applications close in January and then the top 18 applications will be invited to take part in workshops teaching them how to professionally pitch their project idea and the finalists will go on to present their environmental innovations to a panel of celebrity judges and experts.

Grace Howourth, head of youth reimagined at the Woodland Trust, said: “We need more young people to become advocates for woods and trees and we are excited to be able to open this opportunity again to help fund important projects which will directly address the climate and nature crisis.

“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.”

Moiz Siddiqi, a previous winner of the competition which helped him to launch his business Me-eco, said winning the Woodland Trust’s prestigious Igniting Innovation competition has been “genuinely life-changing"

Project Me-eco is a mindfulness-based seeded paper product, which enables people to write down their worries on seeded paper, plant it and watch it grow alongside their own wellbeing.

Moiz said: “It’s that first major step in taking a risk with an idea, and working to bring it to life, except with this risk, you’re supported and backed by the Woodland Trust, their youth team and amazing mentors. 

“It allowed Project Me-Eco to develop from a basic concept to a fully-fledged start-up business with the foundation it needed. It helped us in understanding what we needed for our next steps, what worked and what didn’t, all in a supported space.

“Project Me-Eco is a gateway solution to the climate crisis and mental health crisis. It’s rebranding mental health and nature to make it truly accessible for all. Using our innovative Me-Eco box to support individuals, communities and organisations to look after themselves, and their environment.”

Applications are now open and will close on Monday, 20 January 2025.

For more information on how to apply, please visit https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/ or email youth@woodlandtrust.org.uk.

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