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The 30 under 30 programme is celebrating our second cohort, finishing this year with some impressive projects. Thirty young people across Northern Ireland have come together since February 2024 to develop their ideas to help fight the climate emergency. 30 Under 30 is helping make these ideas a reality by connecting ambitious and energetic young people with one another. Each idea is another critical piece of the jigsaw in helping Northern Ireland fight against the climate emergency. Projects ranged from sustainable tourism to raising awareness of light pollution. This year's cohort will now develop these projects, bringing important benefits to their communities and our society.

This year's cohort, with the invaluable support of our partners Podiem, have completed six workshops. These workshops, focusing on purpose-driven leadership, teamwork, and impact, have been instrumental in shaping the ideas of our young leaders. The support from our partners and sponsors is a crucial part of the puzzle in our fight against the climate emergency, and we are deeply grateful for their contribution.

The 30 Under 30 Northern Ireland Climate Change-Makers programme is a beacon of hope, designed to unearth, inspire, and equip 30 leaders under the age of 30 who can play a pivotal role in shaping a better climate future for Northern Ireland and beyond. 30 under 30 draws on the international EE 30 Under 30 initiative introduced by the North American Association for Environmental Education.

The programme, delivered by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Podiem, and funded by Coca-Cola, Ulster Garden Villages, Danske Bank, Belfast City Council and Pinsent Masons is a testament to the power of collective action and the potential of our youth to make a difference.

Speaking about the success of the 2024 cohort, the Environmental Leadership & Awards Programme Manager, Jenna Potter said,

“Following the success of our pilot last year, we had high expectations for the class of 2024, and they did not disappoint. Having attended all six workshops, seeing the growth of the ideas, the depth of the connections all of them have made, and the enthusiasm has been incredible. I want to congratulate everyone who has participated this year, and I am excited to see their next steps.”

“The quality of the young people we are sourcing and the ideas generated demonstrates the importance of the 30 under 30 programme to Northern Ireland’s fight against the climate emergency. I want to thank our partners Podiem and the support from Coca-Cola, Ulster Garden Villages Danske Bank, Belfast City Council and Pinsent Masons for helping make this happen.”

A world-class leadership programme designed to unearth, inspire, and equip 30 ‘exceptional potential leaders’ under the age of 30 has been launched in Northern Ireland for the first time by environmental charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, and will be delivered in partnership with the North American Association for Environmental Education and Podiem. Financial support for the programme has been provided by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Pacem, Pinsent Masons and Danske Bank.

‘30 Under 30’ (30U30) will offer successful applicants the opportunity to attend a series of six prestigious, half-day workshops delivered by internationally renowned thinkers and leaders. The focus will be on inspiring and enabling participants to develop their skills, confidence and leadership potential in the company of a supportive and environmentally focused peer group. At the end of the programme, the top five class members will receive a bursary to pursue their own transformational project and one class member will receive a scholarship to attend the North American AEE Conference later in 2023.

Edwin Poots MLA, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said of the new programme:

“Talented young people from Northern Ireland have, for many years, benefitted from international development opportunities such as the Washington Ireland Programme and others, and have gone on to inspiring leadership roles in many different spheres. The 30 Under 30 programme is very much the environmental equivalent of these prestigious initiatives and will give young people with a passion for the environment the chance to learn, to connect with others and ultimately to shine. And they will be able to avail of this opportunity and international connections from right here in Belfast. My department is very proud to support Northern Ireland’s inaugural 30U30 class and looks forward to proudly observing the future success of these young environmental champions.”

Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful’s Chief Executive, Dr Ian Humphreys said:

“I have for several years found inspiration in the North American Association for Environmental Education’s 30 Under 30 programme and have dreamt of bringing it to Northern Ireland, where I know we have such a wealth of young talent. I’ve watched young leaders like Emer Rafferty and Rosalind Skillen come through our Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment programme, then the international 30 Under 30 programme, to a point where they are now regularly speaking up for Northern Ireland’s young people on the world stage at international events like COP. I look forward to seeing more young environmental leaders forging ahead in other spheres of our society, in business, in agriculture, in science and in politics; and I very much see this new Northern Ireland chapter of 30U30 as a way of enabling that to happen.”

Kevin Kelly, Founder and Director of Podiem said:

“Over the next 6 months the 30U30 participants will hear from some of the most inspirational thought-leaders in Europe and will return to their sectors and fields of interest with the leadership tools to drive positive climate action. We are delighted to be working with a premium group of partners on a programme which marks the next phase in our Sustain Exchange ecosystem which consists of a proactive community of planet-conscious leaders and organisations”.

To apply to the 30U30 programme, young people between the ages of 16 and 30 are invited to complete a 20 minute form and short video application at www.sustain-exchange.com/30-under-30. The closing date is Sunday 23rd October at 11.59pm. Successful applicants will be required to be available for programme workshops on six dates (Thursdays and Fridays in Belfast) between 27 October to 24 March 2023.

In addition, the first 40 applicants to the programme will secure a complimentary place at the Sustain Exchange Summit at Titanic Belfast on 27 October, featuring an influential line up of speakers.

Ends.

Notes to Editors

Photo captions: Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA launches 30 Under 30 at Titanic Belfast with representatives from Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, Podiem, Danske Bank, Pacem and Pinsent Masons

Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA launches 30 Under 30 at Titanic Belfast with (left to right) Elizabeth Crossan, Pacem, Richard Murphy, Pinsent Masons and Chris Martin, Danske Bank

For more information on 30 Under 30, please contact Chris Walsh, Communications Coordinator, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

christopher.walsh@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org / 07469 671432