Big Green Challenge

Published on Tuesday May 06 2008

The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) had shortlisted the Woodcraft Folk for a slice of its million-pound Big Green Challenge prize fund.

Woodcraft Folk aims to cut carbon emissions with its C-Changes Continues project, by recruiting young peer educators to influence behavioural change in young people and the community venues in which they meet. The project also involves a long-term plan to introduce renewable and sustainable energy sources into the Woodcraft Folk’s five outdoor activity centres.

Selected from hundreds of initial entries received by NESTA, the shortlist comprises a diverse array of groups including local network organisations, schools, charities and social enterprises.

The shortlisted groups now have until the beginning of June to complete more detailed plans about how their ideas will work, and will receive access to a range of experts to help them.

The Woodcraft Folk will be hoping to make the cut when the top 100 groups are whittled down to 10 finalists in July, each of whom will receive up to £20,000, plus advice and support to get their green projects up and running over a year. The groups with the most imaginative and successful approach to cutting carbon emissions at the end of the competition will win a share of the £1m prize up for grabs.

“It is wonderful to receive this recognition for our work on sustainability and to have the chance to engage all of our members in taking positive action to reduce carbon emissions. Our project will be led by young people and engage them in influences others to consider the environmental impact of their actions,” said Debs McCahon, Membership Development Manager for the Woodcraft Folk.

For more information, visit www.biggreenchallenge.org.uk.