Aged 11-18? Bothered about climate change? Want to help make your community greener – and be in the running for a cash prize?
Local youth project Space is offering a £250 prize fund for young people across LS10 and LS11 who take action over the course of this year (2022) to combat climate change. This can be action in their own lives, or the lives of their households, schools, and communities.
They might be practical schemes, and/or initiatives that raise local awareness on the issue. The organisers are keen for participants to come up with their own ideas – but examples might include a local food project, reducing energy use, promoting low-carbon travel (like walking or cycling), a campaign to reduce or reuse resources, or action to improve the local environment.
Young participants are asked to document what they do, and what they learn, through photos, short home-made videos, notes or diaries, or in any way that suits them. These need to be submitted by the end of December 2022, and will be judged by a panel of young people in January 2023. The £250 prize money will be awarded to the winner(s), with runners-up prizes also available.
Ed Carlisle, who co-runs Space, commented:
“It’s younger people above everyone who will face the impacts of climate change – and it’s been extraordinary in recent years to see the international youth movement rise up, demanding action on climate change. We undoubtedly need big players like governments and business to act – but we need to take a lead. This climate challenge idea came about from discussions at our youth groups, and will hopefully inspire youngsters across our communities to make an impact, and show us all what’s possible.”
For more details, look for ‘The South Leeds Youth Climate Challenge 2022‘ on Facebook. Anyone living in LS10 or LS11, who is aged 11 to 18 this year, can enter. The challenge is run by Space – a youth project running since 2004 in Beeston for 11-18 year olds, coordinated by the Church Together in LS11 and the Salvation Army.
