Deadline: 3 March 2025
The Trust for Sustainable Living is excited to launch its next competition inviting students to share their original, creative and expressive responses to the theme, From Eco-Anxiety to Eco Action & Empowerment.
Eco-anxiety, climate grief and climate anxiety are defined as ‘negative emotional responses generated due to the threat of environmental and climate crisis’. A 2024 United Nations report has highlighted that ‘Eco-anxiety’ is an ‘emergency crisis hidden in plain sight’ and is likely to create a massive impact among the world’s children and youth.
Recent global surveys have indicated that over 50% of young people are experiencing eco-anxiety and are extremely worried about environmental and climate change, with many reporting feelings of sadness, anxiousness, anger, powerlessness, helplessness and guilt.
TSL wants to help young people develop a sense of agency, empowerment and hope for solutions and action by creating a safe and supportive space and outlet for expression for students and teachers to explore moving from feelings of eco-anxiety, to eco action & empowerment.
Prize Information
- The overall Grand Prize Winner will receive a trophy and a cash prize of £1000 plus £500 for their school, with one Runner Up receiving a trophy and a cash prize of £500 plus £250 for their school (cash prizes paid in local currency).
Eligibility Criteria
- They are open to accepting any form of student response; you can choose to create a piece of artwork, music, a video, poem, essay, letter, story etc. There are no restrictions on the type of work submitted, they want students to be as open and creative in interpreting the theme as possible.
Judging Criteria
- The judges will be scoring entries on:
- Understanding of the topic
- Originality, innovation and creativity
- Inspirational power
- Communication and presentation of idea (effective use of chosen medium)
Applications Requirements
- All entries should include 250 word (maximum) self-reflection on the project by the students. This is an open reflection but could include, for example, what they have learnt by participating, any skills they have developed, what their ‘take away’ from the project is, what they have enjoyed or found challenging, or any actions they have been inspired to take as a result of taking part.
- If the entry is a non-written piece, it needs to be accompanied by a short explanation of the piece (maximum 200 words) as well as the self-reflection. This can be uploaded as a separate document.
For more information, visit Trust for Sustainable Living.
