Energy & Climate
Integrating green education
Green education can create new generation of eco-leaders across the MENA region, says new study.
8 October 2024
Unaffordable school uniforms, social isolation, the challenges women face when leaving prison and a lack of access to healthy food at home – these are just some of the issues schoolchildren in Yorkshire have identified and worked to address in their communities.
On Tuesday (06 May) these children presented their projects in front of almost 200 students, teachers, business leaders, volunteers, judges and community partners from across Yorkshire and the Humber at the NextGenLeaders Competition and Celebration Event 2026, at the Education Exchange in Knottingley.
The event brought together young people from 12 schools across the region to celebrate a year of designing and delivering youth-led social action projects tackling issues affecting their communities under the NextGenLeaders programme.
Students from schools including Trinity Academy Halifax, Sheffield Park Academy, Penistone Grammar School, Garforth Academy, Airedale Academy, Meadowhead School and Bishop Young Academy showcased projects focused on issues such as food insecurity, loneliness, sustainability, school uniform poverty and support for women leaving prison.
Throughout the day, students took part in the NextGenLeaders Impact Competition and a Project Fair, presenting their ideas and achievements to an audience of teachers, business partners, charity representatives and community leaders.
‘The young people on this programme continue to amaze me every year. They are identifying real issues in their communities and responding with empathy, creativity and determination. Seeing them stand on stage and share months of hard work with such confidence was incredibly powerful.
‘What makes NextGenLeaders special is that these projects are not just ideas, they are creating genuine impact in their communities. Our young people are showing that leadership and social action can start right now.
‘One of the things I really love about the programme is that while students are designing their projects, they are also working alongside adults in business and the wider community. They are developing skills for their futures, stepping outside of their comfort zones and gaining experiences they might not otherwise have access to. Everyone wins.’
BECKS WHEATLEY
NextGenLeaders programme manager
The overall winners of the NextGenLeaders Impact Competition were Project H from Sheffield Park Academy, whose project focused on tackling food insecurity through anonymous food hampers, accessible recipe cards and partnerships to reduce food waste within their community.
Golden Connections from Trinity Academy Cathedral were named runners-up for their intergenerational project supporting older members of the community experiencing loneliness through regular visits, activities and community events.
Other award winners included The Martlets, Penistone Grammar School (Early-Stage Competition Winner); Reflect, Trinity Academy St Edward’s (Project Fair – Most Creative) and Struggle Buddies, Garforth Academy (Project Fair – Most Potential).
Green education can create new generation of eco-leaders across the MENA region, says new study.
Bryce Coon, director of education at EARTHDAY.ORG, explains how a new form of literacy is helping to empower the next generation.
Obesity exceeds underweight for the first time among school-age children and adolescents globally.
Majority of UK schoolchildren missing out on benefits of regular access to nature and outdoor learning, reveals WWF.
