THE Jack Petchey Environmental Award is OPEN for the public to nominate any young person aged 11-25 in London and Essex positively impacting the environment. Winners will be awarded a certificate, a special badge, a letter from Sir Jack Petchey and the opportunity to apply for an Environmental Award Grant of up to £300 for their project.

Any member of the public over the age of 18 can nominate a young person from Essex, or anywhere in London and Essex, for a wide range of activities that positively impact their local environment. This may include volunteering in a community garden, taking part in community clean-ups, promoting protecting the environment, introducing a recycling scheme in their school/local area and much more.

Jack Petchey Environmental Award Criteria:

·         The nominee must be aged 11-25 living or studying in London or Essex

·         They are performing a positive act to help their local environment and the wider community

·         Their actions promote protecting the environment or improving sustainability in the local area

Nominate via the Jack Petchey Foundation website: https://www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/opportunities/jack-petchey-environmental-award/

This award was introduced by the Jack Petchey Foundation following their recent Environmental Youth Survey, in which almost 4,000 young people were asked how they could be better supported to build a more sustainable future. In the survey, almost half said they would like young people to be better recognised for helping the environment, and 1 in 4 said that they are already involved in groups that are having a positive impact on the environment.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and awarded a special badge, certificate and a letter from Sir Jack Petchey. In addition, all winners have an opportunity to apply for a special Jack Petchey Environmental Award Grant of up to £300 towards an environmental project or initiative they are involved with. This grant could be used to purchase equipment (e.g. recycling facilities or renewable energy sources), towards an event (e.g. Upcycling Day) or for a trip (e.g. to enable a group of young people to travel to a nature area).

Gemma Juma, CEO of the Jack Petchey Foundation: “Protecting and preserving the environment is an immensely important issue, particularly for young people, who are not only the leaders of tomorrow but are leading environmental initiatives across London and Essex today. It’s important that we recognise these inspiring young people and invest in their initiatives to improve the local environment and help their communities build a more sustainable future.”

Sir Jack Petchey CBE, founder of the Jack Petchey Foundation, said: “The actions young people are taking are remarkable. If you think you can, you can! That is the legacy I want to leave, that is the little mark I hope to make on future generations who will be responsible for leading and developing our country, our world.”

Members of the public wishing to nominate a young person they know making strides for the environment should visit the Foundation’s website and fill in the form:

https://www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/opportunities/jack-petchey-environmental-award/

Nominations are open from June 21^st to October 31^st.