Funding given to projects driving youth climate action

OVO Foundation, charity arm energy supplier OVO, will be working with three new charities to deliver and develop their youth climate action goals.

The charity is working with Ashden to give 75 schools a cash prize to start their own nature projects, as part of the Let's Go Zero campaign.
 
The OVO Foundation is also working with Apps for Good to provide funding to enable 26,000 students to develop app prototypes that offer real solutions to the climate crisis. Guided by industry experts, young people will learn the practical skills they need to shape their future – and fight the climate crisis at the same time.
 
The final project that OVO will be delivering funding for is Students Organising for Sustainability UK. This project turns the tables on education: students are giving their teachers lessons about the climate crisis. Their classes show how climate action and education can be woven into all parts of the curriculum. From exploring themes like environmental justice to coping with eco-anxiety, the project will train over 4,500 teachers and support 900 young climate activists to become sustainability experts.
 
Hannah Howard, Head of OVO Foundation, said: “We were delighted to see so many youth organisations come forward with truly innovative ideas to help make this world a better one. We know there is a huge need for more funding in this space and we’re incredibly proud of the impact we’ve already made through our Climate Changers programme. We are thrilled to welcome our new partners Ashden Climate Solutions, Apps for Good, and Students Organising for Sustainability UK to build on this. Together, we can inspire and enable the next generation to become the green guardians of tomorrow.”

Alex Green, Ashden and Let’s Go Zero campaign Schools Lead, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with OVO Foundation to support climate action in schools across the UK through our Let’s Go Zero campaign. The new OVO Foundation Nature Prize will enable schools to increase nature and biodiversity - enabling children and young people to learn in and for nature, while also sharing their learning across their communities. “

Freddie Norton, Acting CEO of Apps for Good said: “The climate crisis means young people will inherit the most pressing social challenge of our time. By working in partnership with OVO Foundation, we’re able to expand our reach to more students, equipping them with a combination of climate knowledge and tech innovation skills so they can take positive strides towards a better, greener future.”

Jamie Agombar, Executive Director, Students Organising for Sustainability UK, said: “We are thrilled to receive this funding to scale up our Teach the Teacher project, which was created last summer by two of the amazing young people we support. Climate and nature education needs to be solutions-centred and integrated into all subjects. This funding will help us make that happen in 300 schools over the next three years.”