FREE Online Course for educators: Leading with Purpose: Implementing the Young Reporters for the Environment Programme

Leading with Purpose: Implementing the Young Reporters for the Environment Programme

This course is designed to equip educators with:

• Tools and strategies to integrate YRE into their teaching practice.

• Methods to guide young people in exploring environmental challenges and identifying actionable solutions.

• Opportunities to connect with a global network of educators dedicated to environmental learning.

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Read the following reflections by FEE’s Director of Education, Lee Wray-Davies, about the impact and influence of the Young Reporters for the Environment programme

“We all became educators, whether in a classroom, a Scout Group, or a Youth Centre because we believe in the power of young minds and want to help young people grow into confident adults who will succeed in life. The Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme will help you to achieve this goal. Through YRE, you can guide young people in your care to learn critical skills, find their voice, and become the environmental leaders our world needs.

“By guiding them through the four steps of the YRE programme and involving them in YRE activities such as Global Action Days and YRE twinning, you are opening a new door for them that leads to a brighter, greener future beyond their time with you.

Professional development

Introducing YRE into your teaching practice is a great way to update basic skills such as research and use new technologies or platforms that may not be able to easily integrate into your day-to-day delivery of subject content. YRE gives you the chance (and excuse) to explore topics like project-based learning and dissemination techniques, which can refresh your existing lesson plans with minimal effort and time. For example, taking your students out to investigate a local pollution issue can be part of your science or geography curriculum, but also embeds literacy, persuasive writing, creativity and leadership (all rolled into one fieldtrip).

Growing your professional network

The YRE programme connects you to a global community of educators, environmental experts, and professionals who all care as much as you about education and sustainability. Through national and international YRE workshops, webinars, and twinning projects, you can collaborate with teachers worldwide. Sharing lesson plans, exchanging innovative ideas, and even co-creating YRE entries for the international competition. Speaking with educators from around the world not only expands your professional network but can bring new perspectives to your teaching, and enriches your content delivery with diverse, globally inspired cases studies.

Personal development

On a personal level, YRE can be incredibly fulfilling. There is definately something special about helping your students become caring, environmental advocates (why many of us became teachers in the first place!) No matter what your level of ‘environmental expertise’ YRE allows you to align your teaching with your personal values.

YRE is also a chance for you to grow your own knowledge. As you support your students through the YRE steps you will find out more about local environmental topics that may affect you, your family, friends and colleagues. Whether it is learning about produce on a local farmers markets or global climate policies, YRE is a great way to help you feel connected to what’s happening beyond your classroom walls. After all we are always learning!

Student attainment

The impact on your students’ attainment is where YRE really shines. As a tried and tested programme that has been running for 30 years we know that YRE students will develop a huge set of additional skills as they work through the 4-steps: critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving to name a few. When students tackle a YRE project, like reporting on litter in your community, they are not just learning facts, they are applying skills that boost their academic performance across multiple subjects.

For students who do not fit the 'academic' mold, YRE is perfect as it gives them a framework to use their unique strengths, whether they are creative, practical, or vocal the programme can help to introduce them to environmental action. Many may be happy to not work from a textbook or be assessed against formal standard but through YRE are learning how to utilise transferable skills to make the planet a little better. That’s the hidden trick of YRE, it can take students with no interest in ‘eco-matters’ and help them to become confident young people making a difference, often without them even noticing!

Curriculum enhancement

YRE fits seamlessly into ANY scheme of work and helps you meet curriculum standards with purpose. Of course it is a natural match for science, geography, and humanity subject, but you can also embed it into literacy (writing articles), art (creating campaign visuals), or even maths (analysing YRE data). A YRE project on renewable energy, for example could cover multiple subjects, making your teaching more cohesive and engaging, and means you have other teaching colleagues and departments collaborating on one project.

YRE also ties into sustainability goals that are being added into curricula around the globe. By embedding YRE, you are not just ticking a lesson plan box you are making learning meaningful and relatable. Students see how their education connects to the bigger picture, keeping them invested in learning.

Time-saving through student-led learning

YRE is designed to put young people in charge, meaning they manage much of the work, researching, writing, and creating content like articles, videos, or podcasts. YRE is a student-led programme so reduces the time you will need to spend on detailed planning and preparation. Instead, you can shift your focus to mentoring and helping, guiding your students as they take ownership of their YRE projects. It is an efficient way to deliver impactful learning experiences while not adding to your workload (and gives your students the chance to shine).

Embracing new technology and AI

The YRE International Competition encourages the use of tools like AI and digital media, aligning with its criteria to reward digital innovation in the appropriate format. Whether your students use AI to analyse their environmental data or produce short form videos, this will help you to also stay ahead of rapidly changing educational technologies. Integrating these tools into your teaching will not only keep your skills current but also equips your students with positive digital competencies essential in their future careers.

Use YRE as an opportunity to embrace tech trends and do not be afraid to allow your YRE student to teach you about the newest apps or podcasting terminology.

Community engagement

A big part of YRE is implementing your students environmental solutions, or at the very least spreading awareness of them, therefore making it a great whole school community project. YRE work will often involve speaking with local organisations, charities, and local leaders, so gives your students real-world communication experiences. YRE will give your students a platform to have a voice, present their findings to local stakeholders and take pride in what they have achieved.

As a teacher YRE is also a great opportunity to initiate partnerships and raise your school’s profile in the local community. These collaborations can bring in resources like guest speakers or field trips, and again when your YRE efforts get noticed, through local media or environmental awards. Senior leadership will find this irresistible!

Winning or even taking part in the YRE International Competition can lead to awards, media coverage, and widespread recognition for your students. As their guide, you and your school will share in this recognition. This visibility enhances your school’s reputation, boosts your professional profile, and can open doors to many new opportunities.

YRE is a recognised practice for ‘Greening Communities’ in the UNESCO Greening Education

Educator well-being

Finally, but most importantly YRE can lift your personal well-being as an educator. Teaching can be hard, but working on something meaningful, like shaping environmental leaders can reignite that sense of purpose for why you wanted to become a teacher in the first place. Seeing your students get excited about their YRE projects will definately remind you why you do this job and is a great antidote to teacher burnout.

Remember when your teaching feels relevant and tied to your values, it is much easier to stay motivated. YRE will bring a fresh energy to your classroom delivery, making your days more enjoyable(ish) and your career more sustainable.

Lee Wray-Davies

FEE Director for Education, with over 25 years teaching experience

Brewing Collaboration: Young Reporters for the Environment Join Forces Through YRE Twinning

—— Article written by YRE International Collaboration from Türkiye, Portugal, and the Netherlands (Twinning Group) ——

At YRE Head Office, we are always inspired by the creativity and dedication of young reporters worldwide. This year, through the YRE International Collaboration 2024/ 2025 (Twinning) , we are thrilled to highlight an exciting initiative uniting Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) teams from Portugal, Türkiye, and the Netherlands.

This collaboration is made possible through Twinning, a YRE Programme initiative that connects schools and young people across borders to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and work together on pressing environmental issues. By fostering these international connections, Twinning strengthens global cooperation and empowers young people to take action beyond their local communities.

One unexpected but fitting topic emerged from this partnership—coffee. From its deep cultural roots to its modern-day environmental impact, coffee consumption provided the perfect lens for these students to explore sustainability challenges in their cities. By working together, they are not only researching solutions but also inspiring meaningful change in their communities and beyond.

To learn more about this collaboration, YRE International spoke with the Twinning teams in a Q&A, where they shared insights into their project, their experiences working across borders, and how they hope to inspire others to take action. Read on to discover how this initiative is brewing a greener future!

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From the rich heritage of Constantinople's coffee houses to today’s bustling cafés, coffee has always connected cultures. Now, Young Reporters for the Environment from Portugal, Türkiye, and the Netherlands are uniting through this shared tradition to tackle global environmental challenges!

YRE International: How did the collaboration take place? Who contacted whom?

Twinning Group: We are YRE teams from Portugal, Türkiye, and the Netherlands as part of the YRE International Collaboration 2025. Each of us has a strong commitment to YRE, and this year, the FEE Education Programmes: Twinning brought us together. The Turkish YRE team reached out to our friends in Portugal and the Netherlands, and this is how our collaboration continued.

YRE International: How did you settle on the topic of coffee and youth?

Twinning Group: During our initial virtual meetings, students from Türkiye, Portugal, and the Netherlands identified coffee consumption and ecosystem conservation as key topics. Surprisingly, we found many cultural and traditional similarities in the places we live, one of which was traditional coffee-drinking habits. Interestingly, the world’s first coffee house, Kiva Han, opened in 1555 in Constantinople, now known as Istanbul. However, these traditions have also led to environmental challenges that need to be addressed at both local and global levels.

Driven by a shared passion for environmental change, students from Ari Private Middle School (Türkiye), EB Terras do Ave (Portugal), and Omnis College (the Netherlands) have united to address ecosystem conservation challenges in cities. They focused on three pressing issues: the rising coffee consumption among youth, the plastic waste generated by branded coffee shops, and strategies to minimise coffee's carbon footprint.

YRE International: What kind of meet-ups do you have scheduled, and what is it like working with people from other countries?

Twinning Group: We have established an action plan for our project. Students from Türkiye, Portugal, and the Netherlands host virtual meetings, during which they regularly report on the results of their local findings. Our students have engaged many project partners locally and globally, reaching out to school communities and families in Portugal, Türkiye, and the Netherlands, making this collaboration even more meaningful.

What we especially love about this international collaboration is that we meet so many like-minded people—young and old—who are passionate about making a positive impact on their countries and the planet!

Local and international YRE communities have been involved and kept informed via a WhatsApp group, schools’ social media accounts, and international platforms. Every step of our collaboration has been shared in the ‘GOLD’ International Online Kids Magazine by Ari Private Middle School.

We will continue this international collaboration by reaching out to local coffee shop markets, environmental organisations, and local and international media! By addressing these issues, we hope to inspire young people and communities worldwide to adopt sustainable habits and protect the environment.

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If you enjoyed this story, make sure to visit our Twinning Webpage to learn more about YRE International Collaboration.

Are you looking for a Twinning partner for your own international collaboration? Join our Facebook group to connect with like-minded teams from around the world.

And if you have a collaboration you'd love to share, feel free to contact us at education@fee.global—we’d love to hear about it!

Can Sailing Boats Keep Afloat Amid Growing Climate Threats?

The following article was written by Young Reporter for the Environment Elinor Roderick from United Kingdom. She was part of the sailing voyage organized Sail Training International who are in active collaboration with both the YRE Programme and the Blue Flag Programme.

Storms: The Uninvited Guests at Every Sailor’s Party

by Elinor Roderick, October 2024

Huge storms and hurricanes have been dominating the headlines, raising concerns about how sailors respond to these extreme weather events. Take Joseph Malinowski, also known as ‘Lieutenant Dan’, a Tampa sailor who survived two consecutive hurricanes aboard his 20-foot sailboat. Even after experiencing the impacts of Hurricane Helene, Malinowski stood by his decision not to evacuate during Hurricane Milton, claiming the “safest place to be is on a boat in a flood.” (1) But how safe is sailing, especially in an era of increasing climate change?

Sail Training International sailing T.S. Rupel before storm Isaac, Belgium coast LARA LAVER

Sailors often rely on the classic strategy of navigating away from a storm's path, but as storms intensify, sailing becomes more perilous. Climate change is causing more frequent and often severe weather events, making oceans more unpredictable and dangerous. Sailing, once the epitome of freedom and exploration, now faces a harsh reality.

Recently, I had the opportunity to experience this firsthand aboard T.S. Rupel and T.S. Saeftinghe as part of Sail Training International in Belgium. The voyage was a combination of learning and connecting with students from all over the world, including New Zealand, Australia, Sweden and Germany. However, the journey took an unexpected turn. Our adventure was cut short by Storm Isaac, a reminder of how unpredictable the sea has become. For two days, our ship was grounded, forcing us to explore the cities of Ghent and Ostend by train instead of by sea.

Sail Training International voyage crew 2024, Ostend SAIL TRAINING INTERNATIONAL

This pause in our journey brought me face-to-face with the growing environmental challenges caused by climate change. More frequent storms, like Isaac and Milton, are just the beginning. Historically, sailors could rely on the weather patterns, but those patterns are shifting, making it harder to plan voyages safely. The maritime industry is feeling the effects of a warming planet, and the question remains: how will sailing adapt?

Beyond the immediate dangers posed by storms, sailing also has an environmental gauge that can’t be ignored. While tall ships like the T.S. Rupel and T.S. Saeftinghe might seem like eco-friendly alternatives, my time aboard highlighted that there is still significant room for improvement. For instance, aboard T.S. Saeftinghe we separated general waste from recyclable materials, but more fundamental measures are needed to truly minimise environmental impact.

A promising example of sustainable innovation in tall ships is the Norwegian sail-training vessel, the Statsraad Lehmkuhl. Equipped with an advanced hybrid power system developed by Rolls-Royce, this ship harnesses wind power to recharge its batteries, significantly reducing its reliance on diesel engines. Not only does this allow the vessel to sail emission-free out of port, but its propeller also generates electricity while underway, storing energy in the ship's batteries for later use. The goal is to make the Statsraad Lehmkuhl a model of sustainability for other ships, demonstrating that even century-old vessels can embrace modern, eco-friendly technology.

Sail Training International sailing T.S. Saeftinghe before storm Isaac, Belgium coast ELINOR RODERICK

While the upfront costs for such systems are high, as seen with the Statsraad Lehmkuhl, which received NOK 4.2 million (£298,400) in funding for its refit, these investments can result in long-term savings (2). Battery systems and hybrid engines reduce fuel consumption and emissions, offsetting initial expenses through operational efficiencies over time.

Sustainability certainly comes with financial challenges. The skipper of the T.S. Saeftinghe demonstrated the ship's high-tech forecasting and communication systems, including a monitor, satellite-linked tablet, and personal phone—three separate methods for ensuring safety at sea. While these innovations enhance safety, they come with a hefty price tag, limiting such advancements to those with significant financial backing.

Maintaining a tall ship is already an expensive endeavour. For example, the Jubilee Sailing Trust, which operated the SV Tenacious, a tall ship designed to be sailed by people of all abilities, including those with disabilities, had to cease operations due to the overwhelming financial burden. Running the SV Tenacious cost a staggering £150,000 per month, with expenses covering maintenance, crew salaries, fuel, insurance, port fees and more (3). For many non-profit organisations, these costs are crippling. Could the added expenses of making these vessels more environmentally friendly push them over the edge?

However, just as with solar panels or other sustainable technologies, the initial investment may eventually pay off. By adopting renewable energy sources and more efficient systems, tall ships could reduce fuel and waste management costs and even gain greater independence from traditional port infrastructure. Over time, these steps could not only make sailing more sustainable but also more financially viable.

Belgium tackling climate change through renewable energy: windmills, Belgium coast ELINOR RODERICK

Belgium, with its 40-mile (60 km) coastline along the North Sea, is a great example of a country actively addressing climate change through various environmental initiatives. Wind farms dot the coastline, providing clean energy, while an extensive tram system offers a sustainable alternative to cars, reducing urban pollution. There are also grassroots efforts, such as encouraging locals and visitors to collect waste on beaches. In fact, I noticed designated areas on the beach where people could dispose of cigarette butts they had found—small but meaningful steps toward preserving the environment.

Belgium tackling climate change through sustainable mobility: trams, Zeebrugge PITANE.BLUE

Yet, there remains a noticeable disconnect between these land-based sustainability efforts and those in the maritime world. While cities and governments push for greener solutions onshore, maritime activities, particularly in sailing, seem slower to adopt comprehensive environmental measures. Despite the strides made on land, much more needs to be done at sea to align sailing practices with modern environmental goals.

Belgium tackling climate change through local environmental initiatives: cigarette collection, Ostend Beach ELINOR RODERICK

The world of tall ship sailing is at a crossroads as climate change intensifies. Storms are stark reminders of the increasing risks, but they also highlight the need for broader adaptations—both in navigation and sustainability. To ensure sailing's future, tall ships must not only be prepared for the physical challenges of navigating rougher seas, but also evolve to reduce their environmental footprint. The question isn't just whether sailing boats can weather the storm, but whether they can embrace the necessary sustainable innovations to remain viable in a changing world. Significant transformations, both above and below deck, will be essential to keeping the art of sailing alive in this era of climate urgency.

Citations

1. https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/im-fine-tampas-lt-dan-survives-milton-on-his-boat/

2. https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases/2018/21-02-2018-the-tall-ship-that-harnesses-thewind-

   to-recharge-its-batteries.aspx#

3. https://www.pbo.co.uk/news/jubilee-sailing-trust-closes-due-to-a-lack-of-funds-83576
   
   

References

• Rodriguez, N. (2024) ‘I’m fine’: Tampa’s ‘lt. Dan’ survives Milton on his boat | WFLA, News Channel 8.Available at: https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/im-fine-tampas-lt-dan-survivesmilton-on-his-boat/ (Accessed: 10 October 2024).

• Rolls-Royce (2018) The tall ship that harnesses the wind to recharge its batteries, rolls-royce.com. Available at: https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases/2018/21-02-2018-the-tall-shipthat-harnesses-the-wind-to-recharge-its-batteries.aspx (Accessed: 14 October 2024).

• Stickland, K. (2023) Jubilee sailing trust closes due to a lack of funds, Practical Boat Owner. Available at: https://www.pbo.co.uk/news/jubilee-sailing-trust-closes-due-to-a-lack-of-funds-83576 (Accessed: 14 October 2024).

Young reporters leading climate justice and environmental advocacy in South Africa

UNICEF South Africa and WESSA (Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa) are empowering 400 learners (predominantly girls) and  80 educators through the Youth Environmental Reporters and Advocates (YERA) programme in 40 schools across South Africa.

YERA amplifies youth voices by providing a platform for expression on climate change, environmental integrity and community well-being. YERA also enhances communication and reporting skills on environmental issues by enabling youth to investigate, document, and communicate these issues within their communities.

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In June 2024, young reporters participated in workshops, focusing on article writing, photography, videography, constructive journalism, advocacy campaigns, and leadership development. These workshops aimed to equip youth with journalistic and investigative skills to drive climate justice and environmental advocacy. These workshops enabled youth to contribute meaningfully to their communities by highlighting local environmental issues, investigating solutions and promoting sustainable practices.

One of the keystones of YERA is water quality monitoring through what is known as citizen science whereby tap water quality tests and river health assessments were undertaken. This hands-on experience empowered youth to advocate for better water management policies and lead actionable change to improve environmental conditions and public health in their communities.

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Looking ahead, YERA aims to encourage these young reports to use their newfound knowledge and skills to participate in the international YRE competition in 2025. Our goal is to extend our impact, expand the YERA and YRE networks in South Africa and drive meaningful change through ongoing engagement and development of young environmental leaders.

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More information

For more information about the YERA programme and how you can get involved, contact Nomfundo Ndlovu at nomfundo.ndlovu@wessa.co.za.

About WESSA
To learn more about WESSA, have a look at their website.
Follow WESSA on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

About UNICEF
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit their website.
Follow UNICEF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

YRE Türkiye goes to Sustainable Development Congress in Bangkok

We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our YRE students from Türkiye, İris Esin, Sera Ertuğ, Bediz Bade Huntürk, Çağla Yağcı, Defne Mey Dilsiz, Asya Emel Halvacıoğlu, and Şevket Yiğit Cebeci!

This past June, these dedicated young people took a significant step forward in their environmental advocacy by attending the prestigious Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSD Congress) developed by Times Higher Education in Bangkok, Thailand. This international event provided them with a valuable platform to engage with sustainability leaders, broaden their knowledge, and showcase their own research on Carbon Capture through a captivating presentation. 

Immersed in a Global Sustainability Dialogue 

"Upon arriving in Bangkok, I was immediately struck by the vibrant atmosphere," shared Defne Mey Dilsiz, a 15-year-old YRE student, in their report about the conference. "The energy was electric, filled with passionate individuals from all walks of life, all united in the pursuit of sustainable solutions." The congress sessions covered a wide range of pressing topics, from renewable energy to sustainable urban planning. "Each discussion underscored the urgency of the climate crisis, but also the potential for positive change through collaboration," noted İris Esin, a 16-year-old YRE student. 

Presenting a Model Carbon Capture Project 

A highlight of the trip for the YRE students was undoubtedly the chance to present their own project, titled "A Model Carbon Capture Project," to an international audience. "Our presentation centered on a breakthrough technology inspired by a natural process involving magnesium and atmospheric carbon dioxide," explained Sera Ertuğ, another 16-year-old YRE student. "This biomimicry approach has the potential to be a game-changer in the fight against climate change." 

The presentation resonated with the audience, sparking lively discussions and positive feedback. "We were particularly encouraged by the enthusiasm from attendees who share our commitment to a sustainable future," said Bediz Bade Huntürk, a 16-year-old YRE student. "The feedback and discussions opened new avenues for further improvements and potential partnerships." 

Empowered to Make a Difference 

The GSD Congress wasn't just about sharing their project – it was about learning and growing as young environmental advocates. "Equipping ourselves with valuable insights from prominent researchers and industry experts was truly inspiring," shared Çağla Yağcı, a 16-year-old YRE student. "We're now even more motivated to refine our carbon capture approach and contribute significantly to the global conversation." 

The focus on nature-inspired solutions aligns their strategy with ecological principles. "Our goal is to develop a solution that works in harmony with the environment, not against it," said Asya Emel Halvacıoğlu, a 16-year-old YRE student. "We believe that tackling climate change requires a multifaceted approach that integrates scientific ingenuity with practical application." 

Returning from Bangkok, these YRE students from Türkiye are brimming with ideas and a renewed sense of purpose. "We are dedicated to advancing our carbon capture model, fostering collaboration, and influencing policy frameworks to create a sustainable and resilient future for all," concluded Şevket Yiğit Cebeci, a 16-year-old YRE student. Their dedication and innovative spirit are a true inspiration for all. 

Congratulations to the 23/24 YRE Winners!

The Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2023-2024 International Competition!

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is proud to announce a record-breaking year for the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) International Competition 23/24. This year, the competition received 248 submissions from a remarkable 46 countries, marking the highest level of global participation to date. The YRE International Jury, comprised of experts from journalism and environmental NGOs, faced a challenging task in selecting the 25 overall winners from the thousands of exceptional entries received.

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Winners of the photo category, left, Adaptability despite adversity, by Emma Lynn Cauchi from Malta, right, The Water We Wear by Dinis Cirne from Portugal

The full list of YRE winners can be found here. The winners covered a broad range of environmental issues in their reports relating to; space waste, noise pollution, coral reefs, urban wild meadows, packaging and food waste, fashion and medicine. Importantly all winners not only reported on the issues but also presented thoughtful solutions, and to raise awareness and enable positive action.

“On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Young Reporters for the Environment programme, I was pleased to see the young reporters looking at key current environmental issues in their countries at the local level, and seeking to explain the issues, the challenges and solutions that are being implemented in their communities. ”

— Bernard Combes, Programme Specialist, Education for Sustainable Development at UNESCO, and a member of the YRE International Jury

Winning entry of the photo story category by photographer Luis Martins from Portugal

A Spotlight on Future Leaders

Marina Mifsud, a former YRE winner from Malta and newest member of the YRE International Jury, shared her thoughts on this year’s entries: "Little by little our young reporters are becoming more present, covering new grounds, and putting their voice out there to fight for a better world. It was a privilege to be able to judge such a high caliber of work by our reporters - and a special well done to the 11-14 age category with their most impressive work. We cannot wait to see next year's entries; hoping they will always get bigger and better. Well done to all our young reporters for their work for YRE 2023 - 2024; and don't forget, every little thing you do, matters."

The YRE competition received entries from a diverse range of participants, including individuals, youth groups, scout groups, UNESCO and International Schools through their FEE National Offices across the globe. This year, astoundingly 29 of the entries that made it through to shortlisting showcased international reporting collaborations, demonstrating the unifying power of YRE programme and competition.

Photo of the year taken by Maximo Lopez Mariano at a stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina

As a prize in the 19-25 age categories, these winners have been invited to attend and report from the Foundation for Environmental Education’s, National Operators Meeting in South Korea, happening in March 2025. The event is a gathering of all global programme managers who come together to discuss key issues of our international programmes. It is a wonderful opportunity for the winners to report on the ground at a live event.

2024 also marks a significant milestone for the YRE programme – 30 years supporting young people to lead change. As the YRE mission states: the programme develops informed young leaders who leverage reporting to amplify their voices, champion freedom of expression, and drive positive environmental change within their communities.

Bernard Combes (Programme Specialist, Education for Sustainable Development at UNESCO) a member of the YRE International Jury explains: ‘On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Young Reporters for the Environment programme, I was pleased to see the young reporters looking at key current environmental issues in their countries at the local level, and seeking to explain the issues, the challenges and solutions that are being implemented in their communities. To quote the 1999 YRE Guide, it was encouraging to see that they clearly “acted as real journalists to understand environmental issues in the field, and to explain them to the largest public.” This is exactly what is needed to better connect people and the planet.’

Space Waste Disposal by Bor Jager from Slovenia, second place winner in the article category

Looking Forward: Ecosystem Restoration & Podcasting

The upcoming 2024-2025 YRE International Competition theme will be Ecosystem Restoration to support the work that FEE are undertaking as part of the UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration [add logo on page]. The next round of the YRE competition will also include a new podcasting category that will provide a new platform for young leaders to share their environmental stories.

Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming 2024-2025 competition launch. In the meantime, congratulations again to all the incredible YRE participants! Your dedication to the environment inspires us all.

Don’t Treat Nature with Medicine by Līva Kauliņa from Latvia, third place winner in the article category

How YRE impacted me

In celebration of our 30th anniversary, we asked a former YRE student to share some reflections on how the programme supported her aspirations and goals.

I gained confidence - from writing news in my local community, YRE believed in me enough to give me an award. As a young journalist there is nothing more powerful than having people who believe in your work and support you. This made me seriously continue writing throughout university and eventually allowed me to go to COP23 with YRE. YRE gave, what felt like my hobby, a sense of legitimacy and importance, and it pushed me to continue working harder. YRE essentially told me - your work matters, please continue doing it

“YRE essentially told me - your work matters, please continue doing it!”

— Allison Gacad

YRE also gave me the skills to be a journalist. I never went to journalism school! Thanks to programming and workshops, I learned how to report on stories on-the-ground - how to interview, write, edit, and work with others. 

YRE also gave me a beautiful, international community. Reporting on the environment can be difficult and lonely, given the state of the world.

But I was always inspired to learn about the work happening around the world through the eyes of other YRE.

It was also so beautiful to share cultural values and gain perspectives about our environment I never would have otherwise. 

Allison Gacad is a former YRE participant and is now working in climate journalism as a correspondence for Carbon Pulse, where she covers carbon policy, clima-tech and policy.

Young Reporters for the Environment are ready for COP28!

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is an international climate summit, which is held annually. At COPs, world leaders gather to work together on solutions to tackle climate change. This year, the COP28 is hosted in the United Arab Emirates and is expected to host over 70,000 delegates, including heads of state and world leaders, to build consensus and facilitate progress on climate action among 197 countries, the EU and thousands of non-government organizations, companies, youth groups, and other stakeholders.

Since 2016, the YRE programme has given young people the opportunity to report on these historical summits. Also this year, a bright group of YRE will be investigating the fields of sustainability at COP28 in Dubai!

Meet the YREs reporting from COP:

Fatema Al Sweidan

With just simple steps, we make a huge difference in an environment whose safety and sustainability are our shared responsibility. I'm Fatema Al Sweidan, a sustainability ambassador and a fervent advocate for positive change in the environmental sustainability. I participated in a lot of environmental campaigns and presented many environmental workshops, initiatives and competitions. I’m very interested in the topics of  youth and education, climate change and food security, as they’re the most important fields of sustainability to be discussed during the COP28.

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Zineb Marjana Khochch

Hello my name is Zineb Marjana Khochch. I’m 16 and I’m a high school student at High tech in RABAT. I’ve been a Young Reporter for the Environment since October 2022 and a proud environmental activist with the Med 6 Foundation for the Environment chaired by princess Lalla Hasna. I have really high hopes concerning this amazing opportunity. It would be life-changing since not many people get to live this type of experience where as a young teenager your voice is being heard your ideas shared and hopefully contribute to making things better. The world we live in deserves people to take care of it and I will do everything in my power in order to help it heal and I know I will.

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Isha Khemka

My name is Isha Khemka, I am a 14-year-old environmental activist living in London. I want to give a voice to those who are suffering the dramatic impact of climate change but do not have a platform to share their pain and enforce change. I want to use my writing to put a spotlight on those people and animals, using creative writing to tell the story of each and every person allowing the reader to empathise with their experience, to drive us to change.

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Fatima Saeed Al Falahi

Hello, my name is Fatima Saeed Al Falahi. I am an 18-year-old student from the UAE who will be majoring in Global Studies and Languages at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. I am highly motivated and passionate about the environment, and constantly seek new opportunities to educate myself in this field. As a trainee in the environmental sector, I have gained valuable experience. My goal is to make a positive impact in this field and contribute to the well-being of our planet.

I am proud to be a part of a country that prioritizes environmental care and is dedicated to educating the younger generation about it. It is an honor for me to be part of this program and represent my country in the upcoming COP28 hosted by the United Arab Emirates. I am excited to learn more about the global efforts to address climate change and to share my own experiences and insights.

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Hatim Lachheb

I'm Hatim Lachheb, an 18-year-old Young Reporters for the Environment from Morocco and a freshman at Al Akhawayn University, majoring in Engineering and Management Science. My commitment to environmental advocacy stems from a deep connection to my family's agricultural background and the significant loss they suffered due to water scarcity in Morocco. This personal connection propels me toward addressing environmental challenges on both a local and global scale.

Starting my journey in environmental advocacy, I won the National Prize in 2018 for the Young Reporters for the Environment contest, organized by the Foundation for Environmental Education and implemented by the Mohamed 6 Foundation for Environmental Protection in Morocco. From there, my involvement grew, actively participating in The Youth Environmental Education Congress in Prague in 2022. I also contributed to the discourse at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2022. In March 2023, I addressed the National Operators meeting at the Hassan II Center for Environmental Training, and later in July 2023, I took part in the PRE-UNEA Youth Consultation at the same center. Currently, I contribute to the startup YAZ at Al Akhawayn University, exploring sustainable agricultural practices. As I prepare for COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, my commitment to learning and active participation remains steadfast. 

Looking ahead to COP28 in Dubai, I actively expect to contribute and engage. Having attended COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, I'm familiar with existing environmental laws and resolutions, reinforcing my commitment to witness their implementation. My goal is to influence meaningful policies, participate in discussions, connect with young environmental enthusiasts, and address events during COP28. I'm eager to immerse myself in the UAE's vibrant environmental initiatives, promising a comprehensive and enriching experience.

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Aya Mohamed El-Sayed

I am Aya Mohamed El-Sayed , a 16.9 years old student from Al-Samha School. I possess many skills and talents, including: the skill of recitation and public speaking, especially poetry recitation, writing such as writing short stories and novels and writing articles, through which I won many local and international competitions, including: The Creative Reader two years on  Consecutively, the pioneers of reading for two years, the little writer in the Big Book for three years, reading is an art, fun and beauty, by reading we rise, with my words, I created two years, the reading challenge I participated in for six years and this is the seventh year, and the heritage competition for writing, the fifty book competition, a competition in  Zayed's love, most important thing I have won Hamdan award Due to the extra curricular I did well at.

I love learning and practicing programming, especially the Python language. Through that, i won the IOS design challenge Compition, participated to be in the national team for the Informatics Olympiad and the Hope Challenge competition, which was based on its idea of ​​programming a robot to take a trip to Mars, participated at STEM challenge made by Abu Dhabi university and more.

I am a journalist for Abu Dhabi media channels and have appeared before on Sharjah Radio and TV channels, as well as a cartoon voice performer in cartoon programs. I present a journalist with one of Abu Dhabi media channels. I speak Arabic, English, Russian and Chinese, and I practice sign language. I am also good at video editing, as I have edited many short and long videos that I edit and are on my social media accounts as I'm a content creator.

 I aspire to specialize in the field of aviation and then apply to become an astronaut in the future with an agency  Mohammed bin Rashid Space.

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Alaa Alsayed

Hello, My name is Alaa Alsayed, I’m a 16 years Sustainability ambassador, content creator, Graphic designer, Voice actress & TV presenter with Abu Dhabi Media, the youngest CodersHq ambassador, an inventor with 3 inventions, author, content & podcast creator, and many more… 

One of my most special talents is public speaking! Since I was very young I hosted TV shows with Abu Dhabi Media TV’s and Radio’s. I also presented in lots of awarding ceremonies and activities. I also have a broadcast and was the youngest broadcast maker awarded by Sheikh Rashid Alnuaimi in the Arab broadcast.

As a a content creator and an inspiring youth with a strong track record of achievements and active involvement in the field of sustainability, my participation in COP28 fills me with immense pride and excitement. It's an incredible opportunity to contribute to global efforts in addressing climate change. My aim is to make a meaningful impact by sharing my knowledge, collaborating with like-minded individuals, and advocating for practical solutions. aspiring to empower youth in the fields of sustainability, inventions and creativity I’m really looking forward to my participation in COP28. Let’s make COP28 memorable and make a difference!

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Chaima Ahajem

“This is not just about the environment, it’s about the community, it’s about jobs, it’s about justice.”

My name is Chaima Ahajem, I'm 17-year-old, I'm in my last year of high school and I'm an economic student, And I am from Khouribga a small city in morocco. I've always wanted to give a voice to those people who are the most affected by climate change, And I am currently a member of the Young Reporters of the Environment led by Mohamed 6 foundation. I would be honoured to take part in the 28th meeting of conference of the parties COP28 to expand my knowledge on all challenges facing the world climate and to negotiate global goals for tackling climate change, And i'm so grateful for this amazing opportunity that not many people get to experience as a young teenager representing a large category of young people and I look forward to raise their awareness about the importance of protecting the environment.

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Aafaf ID LAFQIH

"The future does not choose us, but we choose our future"

Hi. My name is Aafaf ID LAFQIH, I'm an 17 years old Young Reporter For the  Environnement from Morocco, specifically from the city of Sidi Ifni ( a very small city in the south of Morocco) . I started my environnementale career from 2018-2019 . I won the National Prise in 2019 for the YRE conteste, organized by the Foundation for Environmental Education and implemented by the Mohamed 6 Foundation for Environmental Protection in Morocco.

I love mathematics and its problems, and I was with the national team for the Mathematical Olympics, but my love for the environment and my ambition to make change is greater. So I abandoned my Olympic track to participate in Cop28, as this event coincided with the December training for the Olympics.                        

My interest in the environment began with my grandfather, who owned a farm, which had a very good return, given what we know about climate change, his farm was greatly affected, and he appeared very sad.  And here I began to think about what simple people who depend on agriculture as their basic income suffer from.  That is why I will take advantage of my participation in Cop28 to represent the voice of everyone who suffers in silence. I believe that we are the hope and we are the ones who will make a difference.

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Omaima Bani

" They call us dreamers, but we're the ones who don't sleep, born to make history "  

Hello, my name is Omaima Bani, I am sixteen years old, young reporter for the environment from morocco specifically from the city of Dakhla (south of Morocco). I was born on July 26, 2007 It is a very important day for me because the moon was on it Waxing Gibbous, this is my favorite moon shape.

I have many interests and talents, some of them are singing, I love to sing Arabic songs because they are distinctive and make my voice strong and comfortable to hear.

My family calls me the little photographer, because I am very interested in photography, and I take beautiful pictures of everything amazing I see " I was created to create "

Since I was young, I have been filming videos on my mother’s phone and imagining myself as a journalist " Act like the person you want to become ", That is why I have loved journalism since childhood, and I participated in many competitions about it, I won at the regional level It was a wonderful experience, I did the best and God did the rest.

My talents and interests do not stop here, but I am even interested in the field of the environment I love nature, water, fresh air and forest, I smell purity in them. " Our planet is in our hands”

I always say die with memories not dreams, Because it has been one of my dreams since I was young to succeed, My choice to participate in the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28 ) in Dubai United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the distinguished participation of the Kingdom of Morocco in this conference, it is considered a success for me. I joined The Moroccan delegation include the Secretary General of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection. I am proud and I want to thank Mrs. Nazha Al-Alawi Secretary General of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection , the Foundation’s Director of Partnerships, Ms. Kenza Al-Khalfi Director of the Ministry's Partnership for Communication and Cooperation for Economic Transition and Sustainable Development, Mr. Rachid Ferdidi, Director of Climate Change for Biodiversity and Green Economy at the Ministry, Mr. Razi Bouzkar, for their efforts to make this institution successful and for giving us this opportunity.

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Nihal Bentoumia

Hello, my name is Nihal Bentoumia, I'm 16 years old and I'm high school student from Jerada, a coal mining city in the north east of Morocco.

I'm really happy to be a part of those who are defending our planet and contributing to sensitising my generation to the nessecity of preserving the environment and exploiting its resources in a rational manner, within the framework of what is known as sustainable development in order to preserve our lives and the lives of the future generations.
So I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed from near or far, to guiding us and taking our hands as young journalists so that our voices can reach the world, and to express our expectations from officials and decision-makers so that they take the necessary measures to reduce environmental degradation.

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A warm welcome to them all! Keep an eye on YRE’s Facebook (Young Reporters for the Environment) and Instagram (@yre_int) pages during COP28 for daily updates from the conference!

Litter Less Campaign Project Shines at the 70th Anniversary Celebration of the UNESCO ASPnet!

Last Wednesday, November 8th, the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) hosted an event to celebrate its 70th anniversary. A strong partner of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) for several years, ASPnet schools are actively engaged through the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programme and the Litter Less Campaign. This celebratory event served to showcase the transformative practices of students and teachers from around the world who are all committed to building more peaceful and sustainable societies.

The Litter Less Campaign was also highlighted during this event through the innovative e-waste campaign “The Forgotten Fortune” from Ibn Khuldoon National School in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The project was spearheaded by the Ms Huda Labib, who has shown outstanding initiative and creativity in empowering her students to develop and implement the e-waste campaign. Her student Ms Halah Noor won the ASPnet international competition part of the Young Reporters for the Environment. She wrote a very compelling article on e-waste, which got published in the Gulf News.

Halah and Ms. Huda Labib presented their school’s efforts to raise awareness on e-waste, and  Ms. Labib reflected on the experience, sharing that,

“Thanks to the Litter Less Campaign, my students came to embrace new ways of thinking, involving other students, teachers, parents, and the community at large, fostering a sense of collaboration and engagement for the environment. Through the campaign we managed to collect over 1.6 tons of electronic waste, which are now being recycled.”

You can learn more about their fantastic project in the video below.

Video Block

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The First Step Toward Change Is Being Aware That We Need It

Reflections on Being a Young Reporter from Mexico

Victoria Morrell is a 17-year-old from Mexico whose photo, Northern Drought, won first place in Photo Reportage category in the 2023 YRE Competition. 

The jury congratulated her photo and appreciated it for its symbolic representation of change and nostalgia. For them, the photo reflected how things used to be before the impact of climate change.

However, Victoria's commitment to raising awareness about climate change doesn't stop with her award-winning photograph. She has returned to the YRE programme to help inspire and guide future Young Reporters.

In the video below, Victoria shares how she got the idea for her photograph:  

“I walk by a river every day on my way to class. Once, its water flowed with colour as beautiful as the sky, and I remember everyone stopped to admire it. Now that it has run dry, they ignore it,” Victoria observed.

She believes this indifference is rooted in the fear that we are witnessing the devastating effects of global warming right before our eyes. Her photograph serves as a poignant reminder of how fragile our environment is and how swiftly we can lose the beauty of nature if we don't act against climate change.

Her message is clear: raising awareness about climate issues around us is critical and the YRE programme is one way that helps do this, by empowering young people to take action.

“The first step toward change is being aware that we need it. We can raise awareness about it, we can take the first step, make conversation about it. Making everyone know, because when everyone knows there is no way of denying it, so don’t be afraid of being a Young Reporter to the Environment.”

Empowering Tomorrow's Climate- heroes: Probha Aurora Pioneers YRE Programme in Bangladesh

The YRE team is excited to see the launch of the YRE Programme in Bangladesh on the 31st of August 2023. The Probha Aurora, a youth-focused social enterprise in Bangladesh, is taking another significant step towards promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility in Bangladesh.

The launch of the programme in the country was a blend of physical and virtual participation, uniting esteemed dignitaries, stakeholders, students, parents, and teachers. The presence of Dr. Susan Vize, Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO, Daniel Schaffer, CEO of FEE, and Pramod Kumar Sharma, Senior Director – Education, FEE underscored the program's global significance. Bidhan Chandra Pal, the Founder and Managing Director of Probha Aurora, shared his vision of making Bangladesh an exemplary country in terms of environmental and climate consciousness.

YRE isn't journalism for the sake of reporting; it's journalism with a mission—to drive youth leadership in environmental solutions.

This event marked a significant milestone on the path to a sustainable, environment-friendly, and climate-conscious future for Bangladesh, one where education is the key to change, and the youth are the torchbearers. The YRE team is very happy to welcome Bangladesh to our global network.

To learn more about this news, click on this link: Young Reporters for the Environment (yrebangladesh.org)

About Probha Aurora:

Founded in 2021, Probha Aurora is a youth-focused social enterprise in Bangladesh. They are deeply committed to addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability. With a strong focus on engaging young people, they work with a climate-sensitive approach. Their steadfast dedication to sustainable practices harmonizes with the urgent demands of today's sustainability landscape.

Hear from the Winners of the 2023 YRE International Competition!

Finding an entry point to subjects as broad as pollution and biodiversity can seem challenging. How do you show the link between a local problem and the global one? How do you inspire the reader while focusing on bold solutions, with a broader view of events? Meet winners of the 2023 YRE International Competition and discover their journey through environmental journalism.

WRITING ENGAGING ARTICLES

Emma Venancie and Hugo Marrequeste (France)

Photo credit : istock

🎙 What's the story behind the choice of our subject?

💬 Initially, we wanted to work on the problems of over-visiting nature parks. This was a very broad topic, so we began by interviewing David Leroy, a ranger from the Vercors regional nature park. We asked him about the problems posed by tourism or too many hikers in the parks. It was he who told us about the Black Grouse. Before this interview, we had no idea of the existence of this "snow hen". He told us that this species is particularly endangered because it's so fragile. It doesn't like to be disturbed, especially during its winter resting phase. But with the development of cross-country skiing during the pandemic, David Leroy began to see this as a problem.

This information caught our attention, and as we continued to work on the subject, we realized that it was a central species in the Alps, and a very important one, since it indicates whether other species are doing well. It was at this point that we decided to refocus our subject on the Black Grouse, as it enabled us to tackle all the problems of over-visiting from a much more precise angle.

🎙 Do you have any advice for finding a subject about the environment?

💬 In our opinion, it's important when you start writing a story to focus on a specific subject. It's important to talk about a fairly specific location, such as a region, a department, a mountain range or a town.

On the other hand, focusing on one aspect of a subject in order to talk about a global problem makes it much easier to take ownership of the issue. That's what we did when we talked about the Black Grouse and the problem of over-visiting nature parks. We were able to understand all the issues involved. Then we multiplied our sources by questioning the French League for the Protection of Birds, other nature parks in the department (Isère) and other associations.

We think it's important to focus on a subject that you enjoy talking about and that touches you emotionally. That way, you can talk about it in depth. Finally, it's best to find an original topic. For topics on biodiversity and environments, it can be interesting to focus on a particular species of animal, insect or plant. The aim is to show how humans impact this species while evoking the importance of this animal for the living world.

Discover their article ISÈRE MASSIFS: OVER-VISITATION OF NATURAL PARKS THREATENS AN EMBLEMATIC BIRD.

Lucia Klučárová and Gregor Šturdík (Slovakia) 

My mother is a teacher. She receives lots of flowers from her students at the beginning and end of the school year. I have noticed that some of the flowers, especially the roses, are wilted and she has to throw them away. Why is that? I was intrigued by the problem and Gregor and I began to investigate why this was so. 

The Young Reporters for the Environment program gave us experience and skills. We can use everything in our everyday life (e. g. taking a photo, asking the right questions...). To look at an issue from various angles. It taught us not only to point out the problem but also to look for solutions to fix it.

Discover their article THE ROSE’S SECRET: A GIFT OF CARBON DIOXIDE.

Mária Jánošíková (Slovakia) 

Last year, as a part of my studies at Masaryk University, I visited several bogs and wetlands. These ecosystems are disappearing very fast, even though they play a key role for climate. I’ve seen the problem in my own eyes, and how it looks like when these precious ecosystems are disappearing. And it is us, humans, who are responsible for this loss because we want to use peat in our gardens. Therefore, I decided to write an article and present alternatives to using the peat so that we prevent the loss of these rare and strategic ecosystems. 

Being a Young Reporter gives me a chance to show my surroundings the importance of protecting the environment in our country and elsewhere. Environmental journalism is still underestimated and underrepresented, so it is vital to contribute and inspire the others. 

Discover her article PEAT-FREE GARDENING: PROTECTING THE CLIMATE.

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TELLING A PHOTO STORY

Andrej Zjavka (Slovakia)

Through my photo story “Reading without Comprehension” I wanted to express how much I personally care about nature and the environment and thus inspire others with my example. And to make people more and more aware of how precious our nature and everything in it is. 

Discover his photo story READING WITHOUT COMPREHENSION.

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CAPTURING AN AUDIENCE THROUGH VIDEO

Lukas Vyhnalík and Nina Šidlíková (Slovakia) 

When I was returning from school one day at the train station, there were a large number of cigarette butts in our town. I thought about why they were there and how the problem could be solved. 

During the making of the video, we met with various experts directly from the cigarette butt "environment" and we even established cooperation with some of them. We initiated the campaign in cooperation with our city and made new contacts with many people. Today, we are pleased to see how some places in the city are cleaner thanks to the bins that were added after the implementation of our campaign. 

Discover their video THEY CONTAMINATE THE SOIL AND FOUL THE ENVIRONMENT.

Hamshini Pathmaruben (Malaysia) 

“The Earth, our home is in a dire state, being choked mercilessly with plastic waste, we need your help to clean and heal the Earth.” We, the generation of the 21st century, have a huge responsibility in resolving the mistakes that were made from the past till this very present moment, due to the ignorance of the general public towards the dangers of plastic waste. Let me share with you my story.

The canal in my neighbourhood was constantly littered with plastic waste, despite having good schedule waste management by the local municipal council. It was disheartening to observe the careless attitude of people in treating Earth as a massive trash can. I fear if this continues on, it will only backfire and eventually destroy the entire human population. Hence, I decided to come up with this video, in hopes to raise awareness and educate the people around me, so that we could preserve and protect whatever that is left of Earth. We need to act FAST, we need to act NOW because with every minute that passes, Earth is rapidly declining. So come forth my dear comrades, let’s work together! Throw your plastic waste responsibly! Save our Earth from destruction. We only have ONE Earth! As Katherine Hannigan wisely said, “We don't own the earth. We are the earth's caretakers...we take care of it and all the things on it. And when we're done with it, it should be left better than we found it. 

Discover her video MY PLASTIC PANDEMIC STORY.

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Thank you to the Young Reporters who have shared their experience with the YRE network and congratulations again for their success in the 2023 YRE International Competition!

PRESS RELEASE - Winners of the International YRE Competition 2023

Discover the results of the International Jury and the winners of the 2023 Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) International Competition!

This year, the YRE programme received more than 230 entries from 37 countries are part of the YRE International Competition. This high level of participation allowed for a competition with a wide range of topics, approaches, and solutions. From member countries, international schools, and Scouts around the world, it is a great pleasure to present the winners of this year's competition.

Bakeries, billboards, menstruation, algae, floods, mines, birds, surfing, roses, and zombies! The inventiveness of this year's participants is to be applauded! Click here to explore the articles, photos and videos created by Young Reporters from all over the world and find below the list of winners of the different categories.

This year’s International YRE Jury

This year’s International Jury meeting occurred online on June 20, 21 and 22nd of June, 2023. The Jury assessed each shortlisted entry thoroughly, and awarded 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes, as well as Honourable Mentions, based on the technical quality, level of investigation, originality, and dissemination of each submission. The International Jury represents expertise across a broad spectrum of fields and consists of professionals in environmental journalism, corporate social responsibility, and Education for Sustainable Development.

YRE Jury members:

·       Sasha Karajovic – President of the Jury

·       Anne Vela-Wagner – MARS Wrigley Foundation

·       Bernard Combes – UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization)

·       Carina Mutschele – UNEP

·       Christopher Slaney - Journalist and Editor

·       Cynthia Pugelj Marquez – Director of Global Initiatives at World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM)

·       Mark Terry – Youth Climate Report

·       Nick Nuttall – We Don’t Have Time

·       Selen Unal – YRE Alumni from Türkiye

Find detailed information about each Jury Member here.

All entries competing in the YRE International Competition have been awarded 1st place in their respective countries’ National YRE competitions earlier this year. The articles and video entries are divided into three age groups (11-14, 15-18 and 19-25). The photos categories are not split into age groups but into three types: reportage, campaign and photo story of 3-5 photos. There is also a special category for International Collaboration.

All entries have been uploaded on the YRE Competition’s Exposure page.

The winners of the competition will receive diplomas and will be published in different international media, forums, environmental conferences and sessions.

DISCOVER THE 2023 INTERNATIONAL YRE COMPETITION WINNERS

ARTICLE: 11-14 years

1st Place

Title: Our Fight Against Plastic Pollution

Country: Singapore

2nd Place

Title: Plastic Pollution on Nonsuch Island, the Home of the Endangered Cahows

Country: Bermuda

3rd Place

Title: The Rose's Secret: A Gift of Carbon Dioxide

Country: Slovakia

ARTICLE: 15-18 years

1st Place

Title: I am scared!

Country: Montenegro

2nd Place

Title: Young people: the key to resolving global problems

Country: Switzerland

3rd Place

Title: Plastic Pollution: What can we do about it?

Country: Malaysia

ARTICLE: 19-25 years

1st Place

Title: Isére massifs : over-visitation of natural parks threatens an emblematic bird

Country: France

2nd Place

Title: Peat-free Gardening: Protecting the Climate

Country: Slovakia

3rd Place

Title: Environmental DNA: Invasives Species Under Investigation

Country: Portugal

SINGLE PHOTO REPORTAGE: 11-25 years

1st Place

Title: The northern drought

Country: Mexico

2nd Place

Title: Nature Finds a Way, but at what cost?

Country: Malta

3rd Place

Title: What a risky way to begin my day

Country: Israel

SINGLE PHOTO CAMPAIGN: 11-25 years

1st Place

Title: We don’t care do you?

Country: Iceland

2nd Place

Title: Grey World

Country: India

3rd Place

Title: The Trash Traveller, the German who fights to save the Portuguese coast

Country: Portugal

PHOTO STORY OF 3-5 PHOTOS: 11-25 years

1st Place

Title: Recycling Embrace, no disgrace

Country: Montenegro 

2nd Place

Title: Reading Without Comprehension

Country: Slovakia

3rd Place

Title: Vertical Gardens: a response to climate urgency

Country: Portugal

VIDEO: 11-14 years

1st Place

Title: Food Waste Cafe

Country: New Zealand

2nd Place

Title: The Ballad of 65 Billboards

Country: Slovakia

3rd Place

Title: My Green Land

Country: Israel

Honourable Mention

Title: My Plastic Pandemic Story

Country: Malaysia

VIDEO: 15-18 years

1st Place

Title: Think about it

Country: Sweden

2nd Place

Title: Black City

Country: Czechia

3rd Place

Title: They Contaminate the Soil and Foul the Environment

Country: Slovakia

VIDEO: 19-25 years

1st Place

Title: Zero Waste Berlin

Country: Belgium

2nd Place

Title: Sustainable Menstruation

Country: Argentina

3rd Place

Title: A Poisoned Paradise

Country: India

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

1st Place

Title: Tweeting Trouble: Climate Change. Are We Silencing Our Birds? - Article

Countries: Türkiye & Slovenia

2nd Place

Title: Under the Surface: the unknown importance of Wetlands - Video

Country: Portugal - Slovenia

3rd Place

Title: We cannot prevent natural disasters, but we can preserve urban biodiversity - Article

Country: Portugal - Türkiye - Japan

PHOTO OF THE YEAR

1st Place

Title: The Seventh Continent

Country: Belgium

Congratulations to all winners of 2023!

The YRE team is impressed by the quality of the projects, and wishes to congratulate the winners of the 2023 competition!

The winners will be invited to a webinar in early September to celebrate together.

Get ready, information is coming soon!

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About YRE: Founded in 1994, the YRE programme empowers young people to research and report on local environmental issues and promote solutions through investigative reporting, photography, and video journalism, giving them a sense that they can really make a difference in the world

Celebrating Environmental Educators with the FEE Teacher Award!

Monday, 5th June: On the occasion of World Environmental Day, we are proud to highlight the amazing work of teachers from our global educational network and promote their excellent contribution to sustainable education.

The first-ever call for the FEE Teachers’ Award was opened in 2022, so we are incredibly excited to be announcing the winners today!

The FEE Teachers’ Award highlights teachers who have been engaged in the Eco-Schools, Learning about Forests (LEAF) or Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programmes for five or more years and whose institution has been awarded a Green Flag Award, a LEAF Award or has produced a finalist/winner for a national YRE competition.

The selected teachers exemplify excellence in environmental education and commitment to our young people and planet. We are sincerely grateful for the energy they continuously dedicate to empowering the next generation to tackle the world’s environmental challenges and hope they serve to inspire others in doing the same.

We are proud to announce the following winners of the 2022 FEE Teachers’ Award:

• Andrea Tláskalová - Š J. V. Sládka Zbiroh (CZECHIA)

• Bindu Chona - Nand Vidya Niketan Jamnagar (INDIA)

• Draženka Kolonić - 1 st Primary School Varaždin (I.Osnovna Škola Varaždin) (CROATIA)

• Inés Nancy Acolt Ariano - Colegio Contadero (MÉXICO)

• Kate Doyle - Everton Nursery School (ENGLAND)

• Liliana Zepeda Zepeda - Colegio Contandero (MÉXICO)

• Ľubica Noščáková - Narnia Church Elementary and Middle School  (SLOVAKIA)

• Maria Manuela Moura dos Santos Costa - Escola Cidade de Castelo Branco /Agrupamento Nuno Álvares (PORTUGAL)

• Marianthi Giannakopoulou - Athens College Elementary School (GREECE)

• María Olivia Pérez Esquivel - Colegio Contadero (MÉXICO)

• Monica Murphy - Presentation Secondary School, Castleisland (IRELAND)

• Nuray Eran Türedi - Captain Altay Altuğ Kızılay Kindergarten (TÜRKIYE)

• Özge Karaevli - Şehit Öğretmen Nuriye Ak Kindergarten (TÜRKIYE)

• Poonam Tiwari - Nand Vidya Niketan - Jamnagar (INDIA)

• Saziye Bekdogdu - Narlıdere Kilicaslan Secondary School (TÜRKIYE)

• Sibel Ünlü - Private Akdeniz Birey Secondary School (2017-2022) Private Akev Secondary School (present) (TÜRKIYE)

• Vitor Moreira Martins - Agrupamento de Escolas Andre Soares (PORTUGAL)

Congratulations to all the incredible teachers making a difference every day!

Video from awarded teacher Ľubica Noščáková - Narnia Church Elementary and Middle School (SLOVAKIA)

Discover the Shortlisted Entries of the 2023 Young Reporters for the Environment International Competition!

In an effort to ignite the passion for environmental awareness and storytelling among young people worldwide, the highly anticipated shortlist of entries for the 2023 Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) International Competition has been unveiled today. The competition, open to young people around the world, aims to uncover impactful stories that shed light on critical environmental issues.

The selection process was undertaken by the team from the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), with many submissions pouring in from talented young individuals across the globe. Entries span a diverse range of topics, capturing the beauty of nature, the challenges it faces, and the urgent need for sustainable solutions.

With the shortlist now open for public viewing and voting, it's time to explore, appreciate, and share the fantastic submissions by Young Reporters.

Although the public's votes will not directly influence the International Jury's decision, readers are encouraged to explore the shortlisted entries and support the talented participants by clicking on the vote button for their favourite submission.

Congratulations to all participants for their hard work and we encourage everyone to stay tuned for the announcement of the winners in July.

Discover shortlisted entries here: 

Entries are presented in random order.

• Articles 11-14 years

  • Slovakia, The Rose's Secret: A Gift of Carbon Dioxide

  • Bermuda, Plastic Pollution on Nonsuch Island, the Home of the Endangered Cahows

  • Montenegro, This winter we are breathing on "gills": Nikšić is among the most polluted cities in Montenegro

  • Switzerland, Sustainable stadiums

  • Malta, Dance to the Beat but Beat the Litter

  • Malaysia, Deforestation is the major cause of the disaster to humans, animals and nature

  • Greece, On a delignitisation course: How will the energy “heart” of our country beat in the future?

  • Singapore, Our Fight Against Plastic Pollution

• Article 15-18 years

  • New Zealand, The food waste fiasco; in a haste to save our food waste

  • Mexico, Irresponsible consumption drowns the cityIrresponsible consumption drowns the city

  • Latvia, If all forests are cut down, the forest area will not change or even will increase - What is happening to our forests?

  • Malaysia, Plastic Pollution: What can we do about it?

  • Slovakia, Cleaning for Health and Environment

  • Montenegro, I am scared!

  • Israel, On saving food as a good deed and in the spirit of sustainability

  • Switzerland, Young people: the key to resolving global problems

• Articles 19-25 years

  • Belgium, The Seventh Continent

  • Portugal, Environmental DNA: Invasives Species Under Investigation

  • Ireland, Should We Ban Single-Use Vapes?

  • France, Isère massifs : over-visitation of natural parks threatens an emblematic bird

  • Slovakia, Peat-free Gardening: Protecting the Climate

  • Switzerland, Urban planning and sustainable development: the eternal dilemma for modern towns and cities

• Single Photo Reportage

  • Mexico, The northern drought

  • Portugal, Endangered lives: fighting biodiversity loss

  • Israel, What a risky way to begin my day

  • Slovakia, The Cost of Keeping Warm

  • Switzerland, Can Geneva’s water help protect the climate?

  • Malta, Nature finds a way, but at what cost?

  • Montenegro, New beginning

  • Latvia, The End of the Boat - The Beginning of the Garbage

• Single Photo Campaign

  • Iceland, We don’t care, do you?

  • Portugal, The Trash Traveller, the German who fights to save the Portuguese coast

  • India, Grey World

  • Slovakia, Let Them Breathe

  • Latvia, "I’m suffocating”, Our Earth is screaming but you aren’t listening

  • New Zealand, Sports 1 - Litter 0

  • Switzerland, Let’s invest in our land, our future

  • Malaysia, Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people can transform the world

• Reportage of 3-5 Photos

  • Greece, Summer’s red lady

  • Turkiye, Madra Mountain

  • Slovakia, Reading Without Comprehension

  • Portugal, Vertical gardens: A response to climate urgency

  • India, S.O.S. (Save our shelled-friends)

  • Montenegro, Recycling embrace, no disgrace

  • Bahrain, The Comeback of plastic

• Videos 11-14 years

  • Slovakia, The Ballad of 65 Billboards (Reportage)

  • Sweden, Recycling mobile phones (Reportage)

  • New Zealand, Food Waste Cafe (Reportage)

  • Israel, My Green Land (Campaign)

  • Malaysia, My Plastic Pandemic Story (Campaign)

  • Slovakia, Every Drop of Water Counts (Campaign)

  • Malta, Out of mind but not out of sight: The problem with litter (Campaign)

• Videos 15-18 years

  • Sweden, Think about it (Reportage)

  • Greece, Rare Lives...on the Edge of Life (Reportage)

  • Slovakia, They Contaminate the Soil and Foul the Environment (Reportage)

  • Malta, Making our school tuck shop greener (Reportage)

  • Mexico, Living through the trash (Reportage)

  • The Czech Republic, Black City (Reportage)

  • Israel, The Dark Side of Clothes (Campaign)

  • India, Waste to Wow (Campaign)

• Videos 19-25 years

  • Latvia, Made to Be Eaten, Not Thrown Away (Reportage)

  • Belgium, Zero Waste Berlin (Reportage)

  • India, A Poisoned Paradise (Reportage)

  • Mexico, How can you take advantage of your waste in Nezahualcóyotl City? (Reportage)

  • Portugal, Waste and By-Products Of The Wine Industry (Reportage)

  • Slovakia, Tell Me How You Pack, and I Will Tell You Who You Are (Reportage)

  • Argentina, Sustainable Menstruation (Reportage)

  • Slovenia, Sustainable mobility: Carbon dioxide emissions by different means of transport (Campaign)

• International Collaboration

  • Türkiye- Morocco, Algae: Powerful Organisms in Combatting Pollution and Climate Change (Article)

  • Portugal - Türkiye - Japan, We cannot prevent natural disasters, but we can preserve urban biodiversity (Article)

  • Türkiye - Slovenia, Tweeting Trouble: Climate Change. Are We Silencing Our Birds (Article)

  • Portugal - Türkiye, Forest fires: a similar problem in Portugal and Turkey that requires common strategies (Article)

  • Slovenia - Türkiye, 5-Bug Hotel (Photo Reportage of 3-5 photos)

  • Portugal - Türkiye - Japan, Sustainable Urban Living Is in Our Hands (Video)

  • Slovenia - Türkiye, Greenspire (Video)

  • Portugal - Slovenia, Under the surface: the unknown importance of wetlands (Video)

UNESCO ASPnet students and teachers become the voice of the environment

Each year the world generates over 2.01 billion tons of waste. Litter and waste clog our oceans, fill our streets and clutter huge areas of the planet. They cause great damage to our natural environment, wildlife, and people’s health and well-being. Since June 2022, students and teachers from ten UNESCO ASPnet schools from the Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Namibia and the Republic of Korea are participating in the Foundation for Environmental Education’s Litter Less Campaign and Young Reporters for the Environment Competition, engaging their peers and communities to eradicate litter and waste.

One of the initiatives started as a school project to raise awareness of e-waste and ended up becoming a campaign that caught the attention of the government. ASPnet teacher Huda Labib from the Ibn Khuldoon National School in the Kingdom of Bahrain explains: “Together with my students, we developed the Forgotten Fortune e-waste Campaign. We aim to raise awareness on the increasing issue of electronic waste and how much we could save if we were to produce and consume smarter and recycle our old electronics.” With the support of school leadership and other teachers, Huda engaged students in a range of applied learning experiences, including study visits to the recycling company authorized by the government to deal with this type of waste and the Bahraini Supreme Council for the Environment. But the students did not stop there: They launched a social media campaign and competitions to raise awareness among their classmates and the broader community. They managed to collect 1.3 tons of e-waste, which is now being recycled. They also built partnerships with stakeholders from the public and private sector, such as with Bahrain’s largest national telecommunications company to disseminate the e-waste campaign. And they have been discussing with the Minister of Oil and the Environment on policies that could help to reduce e-waste in their country. “It has been an amazing experience for my students, my peer teachers and myself. I am very proud of my students, who have shown extraordinary creativity and skillfulness in this Campaign,” explains Huda.

ASPnet students from the Ibn Khuldoon National School in the Kingdom of Bahrain investigating issues and solutions around e-waste for their “Forgotten Fortune” Campaign.

© Huda Labib

The issue of e-waste also prompted 12-year-old student Halah Noor to become an ardent voice for the environment: “Did you know that 60 - 90 % of the world’s e-waste is either illegally traded or discarded annually, causing the loss of materials worth nearly USD 19 billion? And did you know that e-waste produces 70% of society’s overall toxic waste? Most people don’t know what to do with their old electronics, so they end up lingering in a drawer or on a shelf for years on end.” Halah and other students are now working on establishing the “E-waste Recycling Initiative'' in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Environment and the national e-waste recycling company of Bahrain. For the Young Reporters for the Environment Competition, Halah wrote an article on the challenges and solutions to tackling e-waste that reached an audience way beyond her school community: “I am very proud that my article got published in our local newspaper, the Gulf News, and I hope many people in Bahrain read it and think twice about the implications when buying a new phone or other electronic item.”

““I am very proud that my article got published in our local newspaper, the Gulf News, and I hope many people in Bahrain read it and think twice about the implications when buying a new phone or other electronic item.””

— Halah Noor

The ASPnet school Ghazi Algosaibi has focused its attention on food waste. “We started with a small Campaign and now we are working with another 70 schools to curb food waste,” explains teacher Aisha Fareed. “We are also exchanging with the Ministry of Education to widen the Campaign to the whole country. Our long-term goal is to achieve inclusion of responsible food consumption in the Ministry of Education’s environmental curriculum by 2025.”

“Your wasted plate is a blessing to others”

Her 17-year-old students Jenan Jaffar, Lojain Jassim, Alaa Swaid and Zainab Jaffar developed a campaign image for the Young Reporters for the Environment competition “to showcase the root of the issue in our society that causes food waste. As shown in the picture, there is a mother in a Bahraini family who throws out excess leftovers which can’t be preserved or eaten later. […] The hands in the photo represent less fortunate people who do not have the same food accessibility as other families.” Aisha underlines that “This project comes at such an important moment following the COVID-19 pandemic. It motivates students to go outside and to actively collaborate again, especially on topics that no one necessarily thinks about but faces on a daily basis, like food waste.”

© Jenan Jaffar, Lojain Jassim, Alaa Swaid, Zainab Jaffar

In the Dominican Republic, Miguel Coradin, the Principal of the San José Obrero School and the students and teachers from his school focus on tackling plastic pollution: “Plastic pollution is a big problem in the Dominican Republic, and critical action is needed to keep our land and sea clean. The Litter Less Campaign activities have made a big difference to our students. The topic speaks to them. Everybody is now busily taking action: Older students are teaching younger students about the 5 Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle), our school community organizes school wide action days and the students who participated in the YRE competition are taking stance as young reporters for the environment.”

“Deaf and Blind to Plastic”

14-year-old student Wilner Perez Otañez created a Campaign image to alert to the consequences of excessive use of plastic: “Soon enough we'll all be swimming in a sea of bottles, and some will drown in it. This is a call to stop this excessive waste of plastic bottles.”

© Wilner Perez Otañez

Students and teachers from the ASPnet school Liceo Niccolò Machiavelli in Italy also focused on the topic of plastic pollution. “Next time my students are on a beach, they will think about the hours it took us to clean just one beach from litter and pollution. Our students are now much more aware on the positive and negative impacts we can make on our environment,” explain teachers Monica Rizzo and Mariella Fasanelli.

“A world wrapped in plastic”

Their 12-year-old student Alessandra Enfurance created a Campaign image to call on people to learn to use plastics responsibly to avoid planetary suffocation. She now advocates for using alternative, less harmful materials to protect our environment.

© Alessandra Enfurance

Fostering waste reduction, environmental awareness, collective action and sustainable behaviours stand at the heart of the Litter Less Campaign. The Istituto Comprensivo 1 Siniscola in Sardinia is located in a Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Reserve. Teacher Giovannamaria Maloccu talks about the impact the Campaign has had in their school: “The Campaign has helped us to broaden and deepen our work on environmentally conscious tourism. Students are documenting our MAB’s biodiversity, identifying risks and coming up with creative solutions, which they share through articles, photography and videos for the Young Reporters for the Environment competition.”

“The little important monsters”

With a photo reportage entitled “The little important monsters”, their students Piras Andrea, Mele Chiara, Scrudato Stefano, Lavra Rebecca and Salis Celeste are raising alarm bells for the protection of vital species for biodiversity: “The beetles can be defined ‘animals extremes’. They live in deserts and in the dunes and they are important bioindicators of the habitat’s health. The species are less frequent in our beaches due to marine pollution and bathing activities; and this jeopardizes the survival of all beaches’ animals.”

© Piras Andrea, Mele Chiara, Scrudato Stefano, Lavra Rebecca and Salis Celeste

In Japan, ASPnet students from the Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School are conducting comparative research on single-use plastics and more generally plastic waste and exchanged on their results during trips to their partner schools in New Zealand and Canada. Edward Escobar, the teacher running activities at the Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School explains: “They administered 4 surveys to compare waste management between Japan and New Zealand to better understand how similarly or different litter and waste are being handled at home, in school, in the supermarket and in parks and public spaces. I’ve seen them make good progress especially in their critical and analytical thinking skills.”

Japanese ASPnet students from the Kyoto Gaidai Nishi High School working in teams to analyse impacts and solutions to litter and waste

© Edward Escobar

To reduce the amount of waste in their environment directly, students and teachers from the Namibian ASPnet Coastal High School organized beach clean ups and shared key ideas and messages to reuse, recycle and repair before throwing away

““Leaners have appreciation and understanding of the importance of keeping our environment clean, they share their ideas with others, and we all discuss how to recycle waste at our school now.””

— Teacher Annety Moody

Namibian ASPnet students from Coastal High School after a successful beach clean up.

In this project, participating teachers and students have been working through the tried and tested YRE methodology, which includes 4 steps:

• STEP 1 – INVESTIGATE (to identify and define a local environmental issue, investigate relevant information from primary and secondary sources, conduct original research, such as surveys/questionnaires, and interview key individuals or groups to obtain first-hand information, etc.)

• STEP 2 - RESEARCH SOLUTION (to identify possible solutions through experts/stakeholders voices to the environmental issue and evaluate its likely effectiveness, giving reasons for and against, etc.)

• STEP 3 – REPORT (to create a journalistic piece to report on the local environmental issue and its possible solutions, identify target audiences and tailor communications, plan reporting on the issue and use the appropriate journalistic format and style, etc.)

• STEP 4 – DISSEMINATE (to share their work with a local audience through the media, e.g. newspaper, magazine, radio, television, social media, exhibition, film show, local events, etc.)

YRE’s 4 steps methodology

To support the participants in these steps, they met in regular online meetings to share and exchange on promising practices as well as a range of resources, including online courses on environmental journalism, pollution or the circular economy as well as sample lesson plans on Litter and Waste. Not only did the students tackle a real problem in their environment, but the project fostered their skills and knowledge about the environment, enhanced their communication and citizenship skills, individual initiative, teamwork, critical analysis, social responsibility and their leadership abilities.

“It is very encouraging to see how teachers are empowering their students to take an informed stand on environmental issues, investigate them, research solutions, and report and disseminate this work through journalistic pieces,” says Gosia Luszczek, International Director of the Young Reporters for the Environment. “By giving them this opportunity, the youngsters are given the chance to make their voices heard and to feel that their voice matters.”

““By giving them this opportunity, the youngsters are given the chance to make their voices heard and to feel that their voice matters.””

— Gosia Luszczek

New course for teachers on FEE Academy about Young Reporters for the Environment!

Are you a teacher or an educator wondering how to implement the YRE programme? We are happy to launch a new course on FEE Academy——YRE for Teachers!

The course is designed to provide an opportunity for teachers from registered schools to learn how to carry out the YRE programme systematically. It integrates a variety of topics such as the YRE methodology, journalistic skills used in YRE, as well as teaching practices and activities from the FEE network. Using various resources such as videos, graphs, readings, and quizzes, the course will help teachers become familiar with the programme, and get inspired to implement the programme in and outside of their classrooms.

Finalists: Highlighting the most inspiring stories and the impact demonstrated in the years since the award was presented

Article written by YRE Assistant Hazel Rose Villa, 2023

International YRE Follow-up Competition

The Young Reporters for the Environment programme has been running for over 29 years, with thousands of young people having participated from around the world. Each year, high-quality articles, photographs, and videos created by Young Reporters are submitted to national YRE competitions. Winners are then entered into the International YRE Competition, where the most inspiring journalism pieces are selected. Many stories from Young Reporters reveal environmental challenges in their local communities, but it is the stories that offer solutions that stand out the most. But have these Young Reporters been able to make a change?

Earlier this year, we invited winners from the 2021 and 2022 International YRE Competition to share with us the impact their story had after it was disseminated and today we’re delighted to present the winners of this follow-up competition! We received nine entries from six different countries that highlighted the impact of the Young Reporters’ work. The exceptional pieces that were submitted to this follow-up competition demonstrate YRE participants’ ongoing drive and development.

Competition entries were reviewed by a jury made up of the YRE International team and the YRE representative on the Foundation for Environmental Education’s (FEE) Board of Directors. The jury evaluated the entries based on the themes they chose for their competition story, their analysis and how the situation changed thanks to their work as Young Reporters. The entries that were nominated and recognized this year show that YRE participants have a thorough awareness of local environmental challenges. They provided insightful and fascinating projects that showed both the environmental problems and the local solutions that have been produced.

Screenshot from the video "The Forgotten Duchess of the Adriatic"

“The Forgotten Duchess of the Adriatic"

The winning entry is a video by Diandra Kočan’s called "Zaboravljena knjeginja Jadrana" or “The Forgotten Duchess of the Adriatic" from Montenegro, on which four individuals worked. The winning team was originally motivated to join the YRE Competition because of the uniqueness of the competition and the fact that it was a way to make their voices heard, which is exactly what they did with their video.

"Diandra's work is a worthy recipient of this year's award for the very good and impactfully described story," said FEE Board Member, Sasha Karajovic. In their original entry, this group of four Young Reporters highlighted that the Bratica River, locally referred to as “the septic tank” flowed into the Port Milena. The Young Reporters explained that “It is Port Milena's biggest polluter. Wastewater and faeces from 1,200 residential buildings that do not have a sewage system were discharged into the Bratica River. As a result, an enormous amount of trash, chemicals and faeces give the water in Port Milena unpleasant colour and smell, while also taking away its title of a "home". With the living conditions, it presents sea creatures with, there is no foundation for surviving let alone thriving.”

Screenshot from the video "The Forgotten Duchess of the Adriatic"

Screenshot from the video "The Forgotten Duchess of the Adriatic"

Their video about the pollution in the Port of Milena caught the local media’s attention, and the students talked about their experience in the YRE Competition at their local TV station, which also shared their video. The students believed that what made their video impactful was that “we presented steps that have to be taken in order to resolve the problem, so what's up to them is to be open-minded, to change the budget priorities and to listen.” Their video urged “the government of our town, but also our country, to consider the situation of the canal, as a serious problem, and to then take action.”

““We presented steps that have to be taken in order to resolve the problem, so what’s up to them is to be open-minded, to change the budget priorities and to listen.””

— Diandra Kočan

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"Saving Stray Animals Is the Hope of Saving the Environment"

We also have the pleasure of awarding an Honorable Mention to Nour Nabulsi from Israel, who wrote an article titled "Saving Stray Animals Is the Hope of Saving the Environment." In Nour's words, the biggest challenge was “choosing the problem that most affect the environment to shed light on it, as I collected dozens of problems, which I wished to publish as many as possible and start solving them together.” The impact of her article on her local community after it was published was significant. It increased awareness about stray animals and environmental problems and she began to take actions to address these challenges.

Stray Animals from Nour’s article

Stray Animals from Nour’s article

The YRE International team would like to congratulate these Young Reporters for the excellent work they have produced and for sharing the story of their impact through this follow-up competition. The effort to track what impact the YRE stories are making locally will be continued next year and hope to see how the YRE youth are gaining leadership skills that drive impactful and positive changes locally.

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About Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE): Founded in 1994, the YRE programme empowers young people to research and report on local environmental issues and promote solutions through investigative reporting, photography, and video journalism, giving them a sense that they can really make a difference in the world.

About FEE: Established in 1981, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is one of the world's largest environmental education organisations, with over 100 member organisations in 81 countries. With 40 years of impactful experience in ESD, our new strategic plan - GAIA 20:30 - prioritises climate action across all five programmes to address the urgent threats of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution.

Environmental Justice Event Webinar

Exciting news for all those interested in the intersection of climate change and social justice! The American Library in Paris, the Climate Academy, and News Decoder are teaming up to present the second Ecologues event, Environmental Justice. This interactive webinar is set to take place on Thursday, 23 February 2023 at 19h CET at the American Library in Paris and online.

The webinar will feature three highly esteemed speakers: Maria Couhet, a climate and social justice activist, Paul Spencer Sochaczewski, a noted author and environmentalist, and Floriane Marie, a former intern and experienced alumni of the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) program.

Floriane Marie, who will be speaking on behalf of YRE, has an extensive background in environmental advocacy and reporting, having worked on various climate and sustainability projects around the world.

If environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies, then there is much to do. Where to start?

Are you interested in learning more about environmental justice and how we can work towards a more equitable and sustainable future? Make sure to tune in and register for the event!

3 YREs covering COP27 and FEE holding Key Climate Education Sessions

3 Young Reporter for the Environment will take part in COP27 and cover the event! The COP (Conference of the Parties) is the annual meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Each year, countries “come together to take action towards achieving the world’s collective climate goals as agreed under the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC.” The COP27 will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Catarina Semedo de Oliveira from Portugal, Hatim Lachheb from Morocco, Emer Rafferty from Northern Ireland, will act as YRE (and even more) during the event.

They will attend sessions as both reporters and speakers, conduct interviews, explore the Blue and Green Zone, investigate climate change issues that they are passionate about and so much more! As ambassadors of the YRE programme, they are also representing youth calling for climate action!

Presentations of the YREs

Catarina Semedo de Oliveira

Curious and passionate. These are, I believe, the traits that led me to become a young reporter at COP 27. The desires to experience first-hand governments’ discussions and to report them in a way that is truly relevant to my generation. As a young reporter since 2018, I have had the privilege of reporting at events such as the Youth Environmental Education Conference (Prague, 2022) and the Web Summit (Lisbon, 2021). I have also worked as an Environmental Trainer in the `One Health´ International Campus for initiation to research and communication of the Erasmus+ e-InnoEducCO2 Project (Aveiro, 2022) and I am currently part of the environmental NGO “Bora Ambientar”, based in Portugal. I hope all of these experiences give me a global relevant perspective to represent the YRE in the best way possible at COP 27! Looking forward to it :)

Hatim Lachheb:

Hii !! My name is Hatim Lachheb and I am a 17 years old environmental activist in a small town in southern Morocco. My passion for the environment started at a young age, I remember visiting my Grandpa and my Grandma in the countryside and being fascinated by their job as farmers and their life as a simple family and as Gardners. So I decided that I too follow in their footsteps, not in our village but in our big urban world. The latter deserves people that care about our environment and prioritize it above everything else, so I believe that I can and I will make that change sooner rather than later.

Emer Rafferty

I am an environmental activist and Queens University chemical engineering student with a strong determination to ensure a safe future for today’s and subsequent generations, wildlife and the natural environment. My enthusiastic, vibrant and focused yet down to earth personality helps me appreciate the world around me, makes me value my friendships and the opportunities I have been given, and gives me determination to bring about change for the better wherever I can. I have a keen love for sports and music and I work hard to improve my skills in both these fields. I have a great sense of drive and immerse myself fully in whatever I put my mind to- education, environmental activism, charity giving, community work and sports. My level of expectation and standards for myself is high- I want and expect the best from myself.  

I am super excited, motivated and determined to make a lasting impact at COP27, to ask difficult questions and represent us young people. As I was COP26 ambassador last year, I hope to build on my work and outcomes from last year.

We are looking forward to following their adventure live on Facebook @yre.global and Instagram @yre_int and to reading their reports on Exposure afterwards.

The two Key Climate Education Sessions (climate change education session and “Global Call for Climate Education”) hosted by FEE at COP27 will be available online, you can learn more and register for it at the link below.

Learning more about FEE at COP27