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One Planet Pioneers
One Planet Pioneers (OPP) was a five-year environmental action programme that helped young people aged 14-21 develop skills, confidence and career aspirations through volunteering, conservation activities, environmental campaigns and climate action projects.
Where?
Middlesbrough
Age Range:
14-21
Funded By:
The National Lottery - Our Bright Future
About The Project
One Planet Pioneers (OPP) was a five-year partnership programme funded by the National Lottery Community Fund through the Our Bright Future Fund. Working across Middlesbrough the programme aimed to improve the lives of young people, aged 14-21 years, by enhancing their skills and experiences through involvement in a diverse range of environmental activities, using the One Planet Living approach.
Middlesbrough Environment City and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust provided volunteering, training and apprenticeship opportunities. We played a key role in recruiting, supporting and developing young people throughout the programme. Alongside environmental activities, volunteering opportunities and practical conservation projects, we created opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills, influence environmental campaigns and support their peers.
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Project Partners and Funders
The Youth Panel
A dedicated Youth Panel was established during the first year of the project and grew to include regular young people from across Middlesbrough. Meeting fortnightly, the panel explored environmental issues, learned about national climate campaigns and developed projects designed to raise awareness within local communities and educational settings.
A significant focus of our work was developing young people's confidence and leadership abilities through accredited peer mentor training. Throughout the programme, young people successfully completed Level 1 and Level 2 peer mentoring qualifications, with many progressing into volunteering, employment and further training opportunities.
The Youth Panel also took an active role in environmental campaigning. Members worked with local environmental groups to raise awareness of issues including fracking, developed educational resources and promotional campaigns, and participated in discussions about environmental policy and sustainability. Through these activities, young people gained experience of civic participation while helping to influence environmental conversations within their communities.
The impact on participants extended beyond environmental knowledge. Young people reported increased confidence, improved communication skills, greater self-esteem and enhanced wellbeing. Several participants progressed into employment, education and leadership roles, demonstrating how environmental action can be a powerful vehicle for personal development and career progression.
Taking Young People's Voices to Parliament
In 2019, young people from Actes Trust's One Planet Pioneers programme travelled to Westminster to join more than 40 young people from Our Bright Futures programmes across the UK. The event provided an opportunity for young people to meet Members of Parliament and call for greater action on environmental issues and opportunities for young people.
Representing Actes Trust were One Planet Pioneers Client Mentor Eilis Sexton, together with local young people Ella Byrom and Banna Faidulla from Macmillan Academy.
The Three Asks
At the parliamentary event, young people called on decision-makers to support three key priorities:
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More school time spent learning in and about nature.
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A new Future Jobs scheme to support careers in environmental, conservation and horticultural sectors.
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Greater attention from government, employers, schools, businesses and charities to the needs of both young people and the environment.
Speaking Directly to MPs
Young people shared their experiences and ideas with MPs, including Caroline Lucas and Rebecca Pow, highlighting the importance of environmental education and proposing that schools provide at least one hour of outdoor learning every day.
Voices From Westminster
"My favourite part of the trip was listening to the young people's speeches. They made me feel a sense of pride and belonging. They were very inspiring."
Banna Faidulla
"The whole event was very well organised. It gave us the opportunity to speak to people to get the point across about the big three asks."
Ella Byrom
"The parliamentary reception was a great opportunity for the young people to gain confidence and life skills through networking with MPs and representatives from across the country."
Eilis Sexton
Wider Project Impact
Across the five year duration of the project, One Planet Pioneers achieved:
400 places for volunteering in Middlesbrough
24 apprenticeships
30,000 hours of participation
5 years of climate action
Explore the One Planet Pioneers Story
This page provides a snapshot of the One Planet Pioneers project. For a wider collection of photos, activities, campaigns and community initiatives delivered throughout the project, visit the project's Instagram archive.
View the One Planet Pioneers Instagram Archive:
