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.
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. ”
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