Young climate leaders receive Virgin Media O2 funding

Young climate activists and community groups across the UK are gearing up to run a series of projects to encourage young people and communities to get involved in conversations and positive action on climate change, after receiving funding from Virgin Media O2.

The projects, which have received grants from Virgin Media O2’s Together Fund, will mark Great Big Green Week (18-26 September) - spearheaded by The Climate Coalition to highlight action being taken to respond to the climate crisis.

The projects are being held in towns and cities across country – from Belfast to Birmingham – with many of them organised by young environmental leaders who are taking positive action to bring communities together to tackle climate change in the places they live.

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It comes ahead of the UN climate summit, COP26, which is taking place in Glasgow in November and will bring together world leaders and activists to tackle climate change.

Tracey Herald, head of corporate responsibility and sustainability at Virgin Media O2, said: “We’re proud to support young climate leaders to bring forward their ideas and solutions to the threats posed by climate change as part of Great Big Green Week. We know that young people are increasingly worried about the impacts of our changing climate, and we want to give them a platform and a voice to campaign on the issue and inspire others in their communities to take action, too.

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“Virgin Media O2 is already taking action to respond to the climate emergency by setting a goal to become net zero in our operations by the end of 2025, and we’re committed to helping our customers live more sustainable lives through technology and innovation.”

These are the latest grants from the Virgin Media O2 Together Fund. Earlier in the summer, the company provided funding to hundreds of charities and community groups across the UK to hold events and activities to bring people together to mark the national ‘Thank You Day’.

Here's a selection of the climate leaders who have received funding:

‘Climate Craic’ - Belfast

Jacinta Hamley, who is aged 24, has received funding for ‘Climate Craic’ – a free climate festival in Belfast. The festival is being held in the grounds of Stormont Estate and will be a celebration of climate action with creative acts, performers and musicians. 

‘Foodwave Surge’ – Manchester

Groundwork Greater Manchester’s ‘Foodwave Surge’ project is being led by young climate activists. It will offer students homecooked, ethically sourced food during Freshers’ Week (which is also being held at the same time as Great Big Green Week) and recipe books to encourage them to prepare and eat more sustainable meals.

‘Big Green Future’ - Birmingham

As part of ‘Big Green Future’, Northfield Arts Forum, will ask young people aged between 5 to 25 to create climate-themed art, poetry or performance which will be shared as part of a week-long climate festival.

‘We are Energy Warriors’ - Swansea and Pembrokeshire

Community energy charity, Awel Aman Tawe, is running the ‘We are Energy Warriors’ project for schoolchildren across Swansea and Pembrokeshire. The charity will work with 200 pupils, aged 8 to 14, to run campaigns which highlight climate change, and raise awareness of energy reduction and consumption in their school. Students will take action to encourage their community to live more sustainably, too.

‘Natural Kingdom: Wild Walls’ - Glasgow

Community group, UK Youth for Nature, has commissioned a mural in Glasgow which will highlight the decline of species and habitats. The mural – located in Glasgow Botanic Gardens - will help engage young people in the city about the vital role of nature and wildlife, and the need to tackle climate change in the run up to COP26 which is being held in the city in November.