‘I’ve suffered from anxiety and being in such a supportive environment where I am making a positive change has really helped me grow and learn.’
– Jade an apprentice from the Green Futures project
Evaluation of the Programme
We have engaged Economic Research Services (ERS) and Collingwood Environmental Planning (CEP) to undertake an evaluation of the programme. The evaluation aims to identify, analyse and assess the collective impact of the 31 projects; the added value of the programme; whether it has achieved its long term ambitions and finally, to gather evidence of impacts, good practice and lessons learned. As part of the evaluation contract a set of reports and papers are being produced:
  • Six learning papers due to be published in November 2021
    • Engaging young people in the environment
    • Mental health and wellbeing outcomes for young people
    • Skills and employability outcomes for young people
    • Our Bright Future programme model
    • Youth-led celebration of Our Bright Future’s impacts for environment and communities
    • Young people in governance roles
  • Final core report due to be published in January 2022.
Evaluation Mid-Term Report 
The purpose of the mid-term evaluation stage was to report on what had been achieved since the beginning of the programme and identify key lessons so far to drive improved performance. This report was intended to promote learning and to support the future delivery of the programme, as well as allowing the programme to share findings with others. It is hoped that the collective evidence base can inform similar programmes in the future and provide better evidence on how young people can improve their local environment, which can be used to inform wider policy and practice.
Key findings:
  • The programme had directly engaged 85,788 young people – far exceeding the programme’s original target of 60,000 young people participating in Our Bright Future activities!
  • Young people have gained a range of knowledge and new skills both specific to environmental topics, and more general soft and transferable skills.
  • Projects have improved participants’ self-confidence, wellbeing and mental health.
  • The programme is supporting a wide range of terrestrial and marine habitats, through a variety of conservation tasks. The number of spaces improved has far exceeded the programme’s original target.
  • The programme and projects are making positive steps towards influencing policy and practice. Key achievements at the mid-term stage included:
    • A parliamentary event, co designed by young people, attended by 50 MPs
    • The collaborative creation of young people’s ‘Policy Asks’:
      1. More time spent learning in and about the natural environment
      2. Support to get environmental jobs
      3. Create space for young people to be heard and play an active role in society
Reports for download
Good Practice Guides 
Project evaluation reports
As well as the programme evaluation, each of the 31 projects are undertaking evaluations of their work and providing final evaluation reports. Click here for a list of reports that are available for download.
‘I love being able to be outside, explore the beautiful Yorkshire countryside and make a positive impact upon it’
– Lorna from the Tomorrow’s Natural Leaders project

Environment

We are creating significant change in the quality of our urban and rural environment. Local spaces are being transformed to provide vital havens for wildlife as well as vital services that help protect communities from climate change. We are improving local infrastructure and helping nature’s recovery.

People

We are empowering young people to make a positive contribution to their communities through shaping and delivering their own projects which improve the areas around them. We are investing in opportunities for them to gain skills, experience and employment to develop themselves as environmental leaders.

Communities

We are inspiring people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds to come together and contribute to a wide range of activities with positive and long lasting impact. Successful local community enterprises are being established up and down the UK and local people are gaining a wealth of benefits from improved local places.

Economy

Using our best practice programme model, we are demonstrating the opportunities and benefits presented by a resource efficient and sustainable ‘green’ economy. In doing so, we aim to change how we invest in our society and make the green economy the favoured employment and education route for young people.