The Greatest Environmental Youth Movement You’ve Never Heard of!

Young people at work

Behind Greta Thunberg’s headline grabbing thunderstorm of the #YouthStrike4Climate and the Extinction Rebellion protests, there is a grassroots environmental youth movement tackling climate change and boosting young potential. #

Young people at work
Young people at work

Nearly 100,000 passionate, skilled and environmentally conscious young people are leading the way to a brighter future. This is through Our Bright Future, a programme funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

Whilst the #YouthStrike4Climate has been effective at raising awareness of environmental challenges, Our Bright Future, has quietly been making significant societal and environmental improvements. Thirty one project have been running across the UK for the past four years. Young people have gained almost 4,000 environmental qualifications, started more than 200 entrepreneurial projects and improved or created over 1,500 community spaces.

Our Bright Future is a once in a generation level of investment (£33 million). The Programme will hopefully bring together the UK’s youth and environmental sectors to generate a youth movement for the environment. It is made possible by The National Lottery Community Fund, the UK’s largest funder of community activity.

The Belfast Hills Bright Future

One of the 31 Our Bright Future projects is The Belfast Hills Bright Future led by the Belfast Hills Partnership. This involves young people in caring for their local Belfast Hills area. Engaging young people inspires them to positively change attitudes and behaviour. The Programme offers an opportunity to help them understand environmental issues and get involved with planning small scale projects

Alanna was a 24 year-old who was juggling being a new mum with a menial bar job. Speaking about the programme, she said, “Before I took part in the programme I thought a career in conservation would be far-fetched. I thought only people with university degrees would be suitable. But through the programme I developed the key skills needed in order to help me gain a great job in a field I love with a well-respected conservation charity. Without this programme and the help of the Belfast Hills, none of this would be possible!”

students at aughrim quarry
QUB heather transplant: Aughrim Quarry

Giving Young People a Voice

The protests of the environmental youth movement have stirred a sense of urgency for environmental action. However, the action already taken by young people through Our Bright Future is similarly encouraging. 11-24 year olds are will have a seat at the table with key decision makers, contributing towards Government research, bringing local communities together and enhancing local green spaces for everyone.

We’re giving young people a voice and the tools to make a difference in their local community, which is really inspiring for all ages. The £33 million investment, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, has been instrumental in supporting young people to connect, be empowered, develop new skills and improve their wellbeing. Enthusing young people about environmental issues now will lead to a lifelong passion for environmental improvements. I’m sure we will see many great things from Our Bright Future alumni’.

Cath Hare, Our Bright Future Programme Manager

Dr Lizzy Pinkerton Scheme Manager for the Belfast Hills Partnership said:

“The Belfast Hills Partnership is delighted to be part of this exciting youth empowerment programme. This will help transform the environment of the Belfast Hills. We are engaging young people with their environment, inspiring and enabling action. The National Lottery Community Funding enables us to work with over 2,000 young people per year. We look at topics such as rivers, wildflowers, habitat management and archaeology while providing the required training and support. We aim to develop confident, experienced and multi skilled young people who can find employment, and continue to respect and care for their local green spaces.”

‘It’s fantastic to see how young people across the UK have been motivated and encouraged by this project. Thanks to National Lottery players, nearly 100,000 young people have played an active role in shaping the future of their local environment. An investment like this is a great start to empowering and inspiring young people to help make their own futures brighter and their communities thrive.’

Peter Ainsworth, Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund

Get more information and become involved in an Our Bright Future Project: www.ourbrightfuture.co.uk

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