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Young Reporters for the Environment

YRE is an award-winning leadership programme for youth

YRE educates and empowers young people aged 11-25 to research local environmental issues and promote solutions through investigative reporting, photography, and video journalism.

Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Web presence

1994

Established

495K

Children

42

Countries
Target group
Students lower
Updated
May 2023
We hope to see through education empowerment of young people to become active and engaged citizes, equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to address environmental issues and promote sustainability in their communities. We aim to promote environmental education through innovative and engaging approaches that inspire young people to become leaders of change for a more sustainable future.

About the innovation

YRE engages young people to share constructive messages about the environment

Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) is a network of passionate young people educating for sustainable development by producing engaging, creative, environmental journalism. Coordinated internationally by Foundation for Environmental Education(FEE), YRE is implemented in more than 40 countries worldwide and growing!

The main goal of theYRE programme is to educate and empower youth to investigate environmental issues and report on them through different media channels, spreading awareness andinspiring people to take action.

YRE students are supportedby teachers and National Operators to ensure a high level of learning and to help make their voices heard.

YRE develops participants' skills and knowledge. For example, giving them a deeper understanding of sustainable development, enhancing their communication and citizenship skills, critical analysis, social responsibility and leadership abilities.

Annual YRE Competition

Every year, the most inspiring, well-researched and creative articles, photos and videos have the chance of being recognised on a global scale.

First, theNational YRECompetitions are run on acountry-level and then the 1st place winners from each country canjoin the International YRE Competition.

The InternationalYRE Competition is divided intothree media categories (Article, Photo, Video) and three age categories (11-14, 15-18 and 19-25). The competition entries are required to include students' reflection on the link between their entry and the 17 SDGs.

The competition entries are assessed by an International Jury whichiscomposed of professional journalists andexperts within Education for Sustainable Development, including representatives from UNESCO, UNEP, and EEA.

How is YRE implemented?

The YRE programme is run by National Operators in more than 40 countries around the world and they are the ones implementing the programme on a national level. Youth between the age of 11-25 can join the programme in these countries through their school, youth group or as individuals by contacting the relevant National Operator. Depending on the country, National Operators and teachers organise different workshops and events for YRE students as well as National YRE Competitions.

The international coordination takes place at the FEE Head Office in Denmark. From here, the coordinating team organises the annual International YRE Competition, develops opportunities for YRE Alumni, and sends out YRE students to high-level conferences. We also coordinate a number of partnerships and projects, including the highly acknowledged Litter Less Campaign.

Implementation steps

Introduction
As a YRE teacher/scout leader, you’ll lead your students to investigate environmental challenges and solutions. Based on the findings, you’ll guide your youth in developing journalistic skills towards becoming young environmental reporters and creating journalistic pieces for national media. You can use the Four YRE Steps, and lesson plans to successfully implement activities in your classroom/group of youth/club etc.
Plan your work
1. Discuss with students the environmental challenges you are facing in your surroundings
Sign up for the programme
2. Sign up for the programme on the national level
Education and activities
3. Use educational resources, courses on FEE Academy e.g. YRE course for teachers and direct youth to take journalistic courses on FEE Academy – writing, videography or photography.
4. Participate in online webinars and online and physical workshops for teachers and youth.
5. Participate in the FEE Global Action Days and/or other global activities.
6. Use the YRE 4-step methodology to identify and investigate environmental issues through young people-led activities.
Research and dissemination
7. Research possible solutions and make a plan for a media campaign with your group.
8. Encourage youth to create their journalistic piece – articles, photos and videos. Disseminate entries.
Competition, summary and next step
9. Submit entries for the national competition.
10. Discuss the experience and plan the next steps with your youth.

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