Youth Panel
Get involved in important decisions that impact young people across the UK
Every autumn, we recruit a Youth Panel to help us select Our Local Nature Grant awardees. This year alongside the national programme, projects in London will be supported by the Mayor of London through the Green Roots Fund and will be part of Our Local Nature Grants – London Wave. Hence we are recruiting two Youth Panels, one for the national program and one for London.
16-18-year-olds can apply to be on the Youth Panels. The panels’ main responsibility is to decide which applications get up to £1000 to run their project, and to decide how much money they will be awarded. The Youth Panels will be trained to choose the projects that best meet the criteria of being youth-led and increasing youth engagement with local nature spaces. Hence the grants are awarded by young people, for young people.
The Youth Panels take place online, using Zoom, and follow this timeline:
- Date - Youth Panel applications open
- 20 September 2026 – Youth Panel applications close.
- By 16 October - Applicants informed if successful or not.
- Mid – late October – Youth Panel training and shortlisting grant applications.
- Early November – Youth Panel select successful grant applications.
- Mid November – Youth Panel decide how much successful grant applications are awarded.
- April - For London only – Youth Panel can visit one of the projects and volunteer
- May – For London only – Youth Panel can help with a ‘Project Surgery’ where the funded projects meet with the Linnean Society for advice and support.
- July – For London only – Youth Panel can take part in a showcase event for the Our Local Nature grant – London Wave.
- July – Youth Panels close.
The meetings and activities are flexible to the time demands of the panellists. For the London Youth panel, the panels will take place online however there are opportunities for activities in person (see above).
If you have questions about the Youth Panel, contact learning@linnean.org.
Why is this a good opportunity for me?
There are many reasons why you may choose to apply for this opportunity. Here is a small list:
- You will receive training in evaluating grant applications
- You will gain insight into ethical grant giving in a grant programme
- You will input into financial decisions that impact young people and communities across the UK
- You will debate, discuss and advocate for decisions with your peers
- The Linnean Society will provide a reference to be used in any future application
- You will do something positive for nature and people
