GreenPrints

What is Greenprints?

GreenPrints is an England-wide scheme which makes it easier for 16 to 25 year olds to improve their environment for the benefit of people and wildlife.

There are two strands to the scheme; Events and Flagships.

Events are one or two day conservation projects that enable young people to take part in interesting and meaningful environmental volunteering.

Flagships are longer term projects led by young people with support from GreenPrints in the form of Mentors and up to £10,000 in funding.

Interested in getting involved? Find out how to set up your own Flagship project or join in at one of our many Events...

GreenPrints Events

GreenPrints Events are one or two day volunteering projects enabling young people to simply sign up, turn up and take part in worthwhile, fun and interesting conservation work. The projects will help improve public green spaces for the benefit of wildlife and people. Sign up for an Event and you might end up creating a community composting facility or preserving habitats for an endangered species like the Great Crested Newt. No previous experience or particular skills are required.

Find an event near you

All GreenPrints events are listed on the do-it website alongside other volunteering activities - we ask all event organisers to add events to this website.

Find out more about events

You may wish to have a look at our project pages to see some of the events which have already taken place.

GreenPrints Flagships

Flagships are environmental projects led by young people aged 16 to 25. The projects must focus on improving a public green space such as a park, beach or canal, for people and wildlife. Flagships can last for up to 12 months and usually involve learning lots of new skills.

How do I apply?

If you have an idea for a Flagship Project you should start by downloading and reading the GreenPrints Application Guide. Once you've read this you can complete an initial application form. This will help you to think through the idea in more detail and it will enable us to understand if your project is something we can support.

If your project is suitable we will put you in touch with a Mentor who will help you develop your idea into a full application. This application will be assessed and a funding decision will be made.

How much can I apply for?

Projects can apply for up to £10,000 to make physical improvements to a green space. All projects that are successful at the initial stage will be assigned a Mentor who will provide practical support.

What can GreenPrints funding be spent on?

GreenPrints funding can be spent on anything involved in making physical improvements to a green space. This might include buying tools, materials, training or transport for volunteers etc. Funding might also be used to promote and celebrate the project or pay for more specialist support.

Mentors

An England wide team of GreenPrints Mentors are ready to help groups develop Flagship projects

The Mentor will guide and support you as you develop your project idea. If your project is supported by GreenPrints the Mentor will provide practical advice throughout your project.

Volunteer Feedback

If you have taken part in a GreenPrints Flagship Project or a Greenprints Event you can provide feedback here

Who are the organisations behind GreenPrints?

The programme uses the experience and expertise of six organisations:

• SITA Trust and v, the youth volunteering charity, are funding the programme. SITA Trust has provided £1million and v is providing an additional £1million through the Match Fund programme
• SITA Trust and BTCV are managing the overall programme
• BTCV, Groundwork and the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts  support the practical delivery of the projects by providing mentor-support for volunteers
• The BBC is including the programme within its national Breathing Places campaign

By working together the GreenPrints partnership creates opportunities for young people to make a visible difference to their local environments and communities.