The Foundation Launch Programme was initiated in April 2021 as the first programme run by the Helvellyn Foundation. The aims of this grant are threefold: to support impactful organisations, to nurture meaningful partnerships, and to develop their grant-making process.

FEE was awarded 10,000 GBP on its proposal to continue working on professional development opportunities for educators in our network, and specifically, Eco-Schools, Learning About Forests (LEAF) and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE). Through this project FEE remains true to its goals, presenting online learning within the fields of Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

The creation of a professional development course on Biodiversity 

Thanks to this grant, FEE is able to develop course modules introducing Biodiversity as a field and mainly as a theme to be addressed by schools globally. These educational resources will introduce many current environmental aspects that we all need to focus on such as:

• The preservation of existing and new forests/natural habitats

• The promotion of sustainable management of the coastal zone

• Combatting pollinator and insect loss

• Raising awareness of and support actions to remove invasive alien species.

This module series includes elements from all three programmes: it links to the curriculum through Eco-Schools, it conveys guidelines for outdoor education opportunities that we can find with LEAF, and it constitutes an inspiring space of creativity through YRE. 

We expect that the project will:

• Develop one open-source course, consisting of several modules covering the aforementioned FEE Strategy areas;

• Engage at least 30% of programme managers running the youth-based programmes;

• Increase effectiveness of projects implemented at the school level;

• Empower educators to engage young people in conservation action;

• Engage youth to conserve biodiversity