Youth CLIMAte Action

Young people are our future and that is why SBCAN are putting them

at the front of our work on climate action!

photo credit: © Kate Neville

Here at SBCAN we want to offer opportunities that mobilise, empower and support young people to take positive action in their own community to tackle climate change.

Whether in school, a local youth group or on national level, we want young people in the Scottish Borders to feel that they have a place and that their voices matter.

How we can support you:

  • Training

    Bespoke training for young people, youth workers or teachers on climate action.

    Examples:

    ‘Young Leaders’- three sessions with young leaders to support them to develop the skills and confidence to run climate activities with their peers.

    ‘Climate Action for Youth Workers’ two practical sessions discussing and trying out simple activities to do with young people in a youth club setting.

  • Funding

    Targeted Youth Climate Action Fund- groups can apply for up to £750 to support projects across the summer.

    Borders Act For Change-up to £250 to support actions to protect, enhance or connect with the environment in February.

    Please see our Funding page for details and how to apply.

    Funding

  • Awards and Accreditation

    There are lots of different youth awards out there, we can take you through the options and help you decide what works best for your project.

    We also offer support on completing awards with young people.

    Get in touch Ayliffe@sup.org.uk

  • Networking and Events

    Would you like to link up to share, learn and act on Climate Action with other young people up in the Borders and nationally?

    Get in touch at the email address below and we can support you to make this happen.

    Ayliffe@sup.org.uk

  • Expertise

    With over 20 years experience in the youth sector and Climate Action our team are here to support you to make your ideas a reality.

    We take an advisory role, input directly or simply answer questions as needed.

    Get in touch: Ayliffe@sup.org.uk

  • Youth Voice

    Opportunities for young people to get their voices heard - both locally and nationally.

    For more information contact:

    Ayliffe@sup.org.uk

  • Resources

    Check out some useful resources in th section below. Resources include; toolkits, green careers, youth leadership and education.

    Get in touch with any specific queries.

    Ayliffe@sup.org.uk

Resources

Examples of Our work

  • An exciting project in 2024 was our Green Summit which took place in September during Climate week. A collaboration with Jedburgh Grammar Campus to bring Eco Clubs from across the Borders region together.

    Led by the students’ ideas, we put together a program which offered a mix of sharing, discussion and speakers. Representatives from secondary schools across the Borders were invited to attend, it was an opportunity to celebrate the young people’s engagement and show the impact they can have as a collective voice.

    This work was possible through the relationship between SBCAN and Jedburgh Grammar Campus which has built up through several in-person meetings, both with staff and students. 

    As a result of the youth green summit we launched the Borders Act for Change initiative. You can find out more on this exciting project here.

  • Greener Melrose requested support from SBCAN on engaging young people in Greener Melrose activities.  Our Community Develop Lead Ayliffe Rose met with a representative from Greener Melrose and discussed the possibilities for greater youth engagement.  The advice given focused on the following: 

    • Recruit a young person onto the board of directors for A Greener Melrose.  Put together a targeted advert for a young person. Website to support with this process were recommended including ‘Getting on Board’ and ‘The Young trustees network’. 

    • E-bikes- Do they actually have youth sized bikes?  If not then perhaps it is something to think about to encourage young people to hire them. 

    • Offer workshops targeted at young people during the summer holidays or after school 

    • Look at engaging with the local primary schools, youth groups, scouts etc. 

    This was a positive discussion and action was taken to follow up on looking to recruit a young trustee to the Greener Melrose Board. 

  • outh engagement in Climate Action been chosen as a key focus area for SBCAN in 2024-26.  As a result, in 2024 our first funding of the year was targeted towards activities that engage young people. 

    Our Youth Climate Action Fund launched on the 13th May and had the following categories: Community Action which benefits our planet, Developing Sustainable practices, Encouraging Climate Resilience and Adaptations, Learning new skills and discovering nature. During the period that the fund was open, the SBCAN team were able to offer support and guidance to groups applying to the fund in the form of online sessions and 1:1’s. We had a brilliant response and a high number of applications from a diverse range of groups, many who were new to Climate Action.

    Following a selection process by an expert panel, £15633 was distributed to 19 different projects. These groups include Schools, Youth groups, Scouts, organisations working with young people with additional support needs, nature-based organisations and social enterprise.  The funding has had a positive impact on minimum of 2054 children and young people from the Scottish Borders Region. 

    The Climate Action Fund has helped us to develop relationship with a new audience not previously engaged with the Borders Climate Action Network.  We will continue to nurture these relationships through targeted events, training and further funding in the future.