Looking to the future
The Green Team was developed in 1995 as a project of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to offer environmental volunteering opportunities to young people taking part in the Award. At this time the main focus was environmental education as a means of engaging young people in wildlife conservation and volunteering.
Over the past 10-15 years the pendulum has swung to focus more on the needs of young people as a reflection and response to increased anxiety, stress and isolation many young people now face alongside nature disconnect, increased use of technology and social media.
More recently, the Green Team’s focus on nature, land management and environmental change has also intensified as our young people engage in conversations about the climate and biodiversity crises and tell us their need to make a difference, take action and have a voice in making changes.
The Green Team provides transformative programmes for young people of all ages and backgrounds which use nature connection as a platform for learning, social connection and self-discovery.
Our annual Impact Report highlights how the Green Team transforms young lives and how we can help to get young people back on their feet.
Looking to the future, we have been developing The Green Team Strategy through extensive consultation with young people, including our Youth Panel, programme participants, Green Team staff, board members, volunteers and partners. Their voices have shaped the direction of our work for the next five years.
The Green Team Strategy – the next five years
There is a growing sense of urgency around Scotland’s biodiversity crisis and the negative effects of climate change on our towns, cities and wider landscape. Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, ranking 213th of 240 countries in the Biodiversity Intactness Index.
We are becoming more disconnected from nature than ever before. 83% of people in Scotland live in towns and cities; many in areas of high deprivation. There is growing concern around increased mental health problems of our young people with waiting lists for support of up to 3 years alongside increasing numbers of young people disengaging from classroom-based learning; becoming isolated and disconnected from their peers and from the wider community.
Over the next 5 years we will also report on the longer-term impact of our work as part of a “Where are they now” study which is being launched as part of our 30th birthday year.
Our 5-year strategy reflects the voices of the young people and The Green Team’s deep commitment to empowering them through nature-based experiences, fostering environmental stewardship and strengthening community connections.
