Previous projects

The environment workforce is one of least diverse workforces in England.

It has never been more important to support young people’s routes into employment. Young people from deprived areas, BAME groups and disadvantaged backgrounds have fewer opportunities to experience nature and the outdoors at an early age, affecting their engagement with the natural environment in later life.

The Generation Green project enabled us to support jobs, placements, apprenticeships and volunteering.

Connections to nature improve wellbeing.

We know there are five things that help us connect better to nature and maximise these wellbeing benefits, with thanks to the Nature Connectedness Research Group at University of Derby. This project had a specific remit to look at ways to respond to these challenges.

Physical contact with the natural world

Finding an emotional bond with, and love for, nature

Taking time to appreciate the beauty of nature

Thinking about the meaning and signs of nature

Showing compassion and care for nature

While the project delivered national reach and benefited young people aged 7 years and upwards, the primary target group was young people aged 14 to 26 years from the North, Midlands, and coastal and deprived urban areas.

At the very core of these are young people that are traditionally less likely – due to social, economic and cultural factors – to connect with nature, or engage with nature and nature preservation/conservation.

Focusing on wellbeing

Hundreds of young people enjoyed fully funded visits to connect with nature at a YHA youth hostel as part of the Generation Green project.

Follow a primary school on their trip to YHA Langdale as they combined nature-based activities with ways to develop mindfulness skills.

Building self-confidence

As we navigated our way out of lockdown in spring 2021, The Outward Bound Trust invited young people to an Adventure Day. Their primary aim: helping young people to believe in themselves.

Tori went on an Adventure Day funded by Generation Green. This is her story.

Looking after the environment

Scouts helped thousands of young people to make a positive impact in their community. Their programme aimed to ultimately create 4,000 Green Champions.

Delivered in schools, parks and local meeting places, sessions ran by Green Volunteers helped young people to understand more about their environment.

Developing outdoor leaders

Through bursaries from the Generation Green project, Girlguiding supported their members to develop their skills to lead walking expeditions.

They offered different qualifications for different types of walking - from the basics of map reading to walking on more advanced terrain.

Overcoming barriers

Through day visits, residentials and online courses, the Field Studies Council offered first-hand experiences to inspire young people.

Generation Green funding enabled them to support many children to overcome barriers so they could experience the outdoors.

Supporting career development

Career development training was available to all apprentices, trainees, students, and any other (youth) trainees and ambassadors.

Hundreds of skilled volunteering roles were also available as part of the project, as well as micro-volunteering and self-guided learning.

How was the project funded?

Generation Green was funded by the Government's Green Recovery Challenge Fund.

The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England, the Environment Agency and Forestry Commission.