About the YEA YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALIST AWARDS 2010 PROJECT REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 26 February The earlier you register the more support our Young Environmentalist Awards team can give you! Follow our "Young Environmentalist Awards blog" for all the latest news and action as we head towards 2010! What are the Young Environmentalist Awards? ECO-UNESCO's Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) is Ireland’s all Island environmental awards programme for young people between the ages of 12 to 18. For over ten years ECO-UNESCO has encouraged Young People to carry out local environmental action projects, making a difference to the lives of all both locally and globally. "Over the past decade, these awards have encouraged young people to engage in environmental projects and contribute to changes in attitude and lifestyle that are critical to the future of our planet" – Koichiro Matsura, Director-General of UNESCO The Programme is designed to be a fun and exciting way of empowering young people to become better citizens, to build awareness of environmental issues in their local community and promote simple actions and lifestyle changes to improve the environment for all. "The ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards have changed my life. I knew recycling was important but I didn't really know how important it was and how responsible we are for our environment. Thanks!" - Anna, St. Catherine's College, Armagh The annual Showcase and Awards Ceremony honours their work in protecting, conserving and enhancing our environment. "It has been an eye opening experience, I never expected to learn so much in one year because of one project." - Elizabeth , Scoil Mhuire, Athy, Co. Kildare "ECO-UNESCO gave me the chance to work with my friends to raise community awareness on a serious issue. We developed many new skills, and learned more about our environment." - Maria, Presentation College, Tralee Who can take part? All 12 – 18 year olds in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in groups of between 2 and 25. Note: This year we will be running a pilot broadening the age range to 10 – 18 year olds. ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards are open to schools, youth groups, community groups and environmental groups. "I am enjoying doing this project to make The Glen a better place to live in." - Troy, YouthReach, Cork Register now! Handbook For more information on how to get started on an Environmental Action Project download a copy of the Young Environmentalist Awards handbook (Adobe Acrobat pdf document - 6.10MB) Sample Project Outline Main Funders: The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government aims to promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life through protection of the environment and heritage, infrastructure provision, balanced regional development and good local government. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) aims to protect, conserve and promote our natural environment and built heritage for the benefit of present and future generations. The Department of the Environment (DOE) is a government department of the Northern Ireland Executive responsible for environmental policy. NDP The Department of Education and Science Youth Service Grant Scheme with the support of the National Lottery. The YEA is also supported by: EPA Dublin City Council COMHAR SDC Department of Transport "It was very interesting. I've learned more about our project from this than I could have from a book. Definitely worth it!" - J.J. Lennon, Grennan College, Kilkenny Register now!