YEC project FAQ
What is the YEC Project?
As part of being a Youth Environment Council (YEC) member, you choose and work on your own sustainability project throughout the year. This project gives you the chance to take action on something YOU care about, whether it’s at home, school, or in your local community. You don’t have to “finish” a perfect product; the focus and purpose of doing a project is on your learning, growth and action journey.
Why we ask you to do a project
As a member of the YEC, we expect you to do a project because of the experiences, opportunities, skills and knowledge it provides. It’s also your opportunity to explore your passion, work with others, learn through doing, and impact your world, not just research or write a report.
Your project gives you a chance to:
Steps to complete your project
As a YEC member, you will:
As part of being a Youth Environment Council (YEC) member, you choose and work on your own sustainability project throughout the year. This project gives you the chance to take action on something YOU care about, whether it’s at home, school, or in your local community. You don’t have to “finish” a perfect product; the focus and purpose of doing a project is on your learning, growth and action journey.
Why we ask you to do a project
As a member of the YEC, we expect you to do a project because of the experiences, opportunities, skills and knowledge it provides. It’s also your opportunity to explore your passion, work with others, learn through doing, and impact your world, not just research or write a report.
Your project gives you a chance to:
- Learn more about an environmental or sustainability topic that’s important to you.
- Connect with your community, make new friendships and build teamwork.
- Develop skills, such as teamwork, planning, problem-solving, and communication.
- Take action and create real change on an environmental or sustainability topic on a local or global scale.
- Share your work to recognise your efforts, inspire others and be a leaders for others.
- Be an active citizen, leader and create change now as a young person, not just when you’re older.
Steps to complete your project
As a YEC member, you will:
- Choose a theme and topic you care about. It could be waste, wildlife, climate, water, gardening, transport, awareness-raising or something else. YEC staff can help you decide if you’re not sure.
- Plan and work on your project throughout the year aligning actions with the 3 foundations (Community and Connection, Environmental Knowledge and Hands-On Action, Leadership and Inspiration). Seek support from your YEC mentors, YEC staff, your family, and your teacher. We would hope that families and school staff are also able to offer guidance but are not expected to do the work.
- Share your progress and learning at the Sharing & Celebration Forum with a creative display, photos, stories, or activities.
If you’d like to see what other students have done in the past, there are case studies of specific projects on the case studies section of our website.
I don’t know what my project should focus on. Where do I start?
Think about why you applied for the YEC. What was it that made you want to join? Is there something that you are particularly interested in and want to find out more about? This may be a good starting point. What is it about the environment or world that you’d like to change or know more about?
If you are unsure about what to study, you can:
Can I get help from others?
Yes. We encourage all members to use the skills and knowledge of their community to help with the project. Solving an issue alone can be difficult. It is much easier when you have the support of others. Successful YEC projects are often the work of a whole class, teachers, families, friends or community groups. You can simply be the person to start and drive a project. Some projects take time and won’t finish within a year.
What makes a successful project?
We see the YEC project as a way that you can make a difference to the world and your community. The most impressive projects are those in which the YEC member goes beyond studying a topic and decides to develop a project that helps to improve an environmental or social issue. Studying or researching a topic is great but it is the projects where the YEC members have taken action that are the most impressive. These projects are inspiring as they show creativity, personal drive, courage and dedication to complete a project.
A successful project may:
I don’t know what my project should focus on. Where do I start?
Think about why you applied for the YEC. What was it that made you want to join? Is there something that you are particularly interested in and want to find out more about? This may be a good starting point. What is it about the environment or world that you’d like to change or know more about?
If you are unsure about what to study, you can:
- speak to other YEC students
- read some case studies, to find out what others have done
- speak to your teacher about any sustainability issues in your school
- ring your local council and ask about some of the environmental issues in your area
- email or call your Education Officer - we are here to help!
Can I get help from others?
Yes. We encourage all members to use the skills and knowledge of their community to help with the project. Solving an issue alone can be difficult. It is much easier when you have the support of others. Successful YEC projects are often the work of a whole class, teachers, families, friends or community groups. You can simply be the person to start and drive a project. Some projects take time and won’t finish within a year.
What makes a successful project?
We see the YEC project as a way that you can make a difference to the world and your community. The most impressive projects are those in which the YEC member goes beyond studying a topic and decides to develop a project that helps to improve an environmental or social issue. Studying or researching a topic is great but it is the projects where the YEC members have taken action that are the most impressive. These projects are inspiring as they show creativity, personal drive, courage and dedication to complete a project.
A successful project may:
- be ongoing
- encourage others to join your project group
- create a new space
- raise awareness of your project topic
- inspire others.
