DfE Youth Sustainability Champions for Sustainability and Climate Change

Deadline: May 28

Eligibility: England (18-23)

Description:

The Youth Sustainability Champions (formerly Youth Focal Points) role is an exciting opportunity for three young people to work together to ensure youth voice is strongly embedded in the DfE Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. This will involve high-level meetings with DfE officials, including civil servants and government ministers; speaking engagements at events; working together to provide evaluation of the strategy; and being supported to facilitate sessions with young people in your own community to understand the impact of the strategy. Over the two-year role Youth Sustainability Champions will hold responsibility for feeding into domestic and international climate education discussions alongside the DfE, including attendance at COP alongside DfE officials. This means Youth Sustainability Champions will gain experience working on climate education at different levels of governance and policy-making, and will be supported to attend relevant national and international events where possible.  

The three young people select will receive consistent support from SOS-UK core staff who will provide relevant and tailored training and mentoring every step of the way. This will start with a fun and informative two-day in-person training workshop in July 2025 to help you settle into the role and develop your understanding – you do not need to be an expert when you apply!  

We will help you to learn everything you need to know to make the most of this opportunity. Further training will involve topics such as: public speaking, sharing your point of view, active listening, and consulting your peers. You will develop knowledge in climate change and education policy, as well as how education can have a positive impact on sustainability.  

Through this opportunity, you will develop an in-depth understanding of policy implementation and the inner workings of a government department. There will be additional learning opportunities like shadowing a DfE civil servant in the Sustainability and Climate Change Unit or attending conferences and sector events alongside DfE and/or SOS-UK staff. You will have a mentor in the SOS-UK core staff team who you will have regular check-ins with and who will support you every step of the way. You will be supported to reflect on your learning throughout the two-year post, preparing you to apply your skills and understanding to future career or educational opportunities.  

***You do NOT need to have any prior experience nor do you need to be an expert!***

Learn more: Apply here