Press Release: Crowdfunder Launch With Aviva Match-Funding

Young Green Briton Challenge Launches Crowdfunder with Aviva Match-Funding to Ignite the Next Generation of Climate Innovators

• National initiative aims to raise at least £10,000 to bring climate innovation workshops to 2,000 students in underserved schools.

• Every pound donated is doubled instantly by the Aviva Foundation Communities Fund.

• Proven track record: 27,000 students supported over four years, showcasing their creativity whilst building skills and opportunity.

• Donate here: https://communitiesfund.avivafoundation.org.uk/p/ygbc

The Young Green Briton Challenge (YGBC) has announced the launch of a major crowdfunding campaign to expand its ground-breaking climate innovation workshops to thousands more secondary school students across England.

Backed by the Aviva Foundation Communities Fund, every individual donation made to the campaign will be matched pound-for-pound (up to £250 per donor), instantly doubling the impact of the public's generosity to reach twice as many young people.

The campaign aims to raise a minimum of £10,000 by 7 July 2026. The funds will be used to deliver the challenge to at least 10 state and special schools across England, including in Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, East Anglia, and the Sussex coast, empowering 2,000 students in underserved communities.

At a time when we are all starting to experience the impacts of climate change, the Young Green Briton Challenge shifts the narrative from education to action. Through curriculum materials followed by high-energy design workshops, students tackle real-world environmental challenges - ranging from biodiversity loss to fast fashion and sustainable transport. They develop and prototype solutions, before pitching for seed funding to bring their ideas to life.

Previous student-led innovations include:

• SustainInhale: A biodegradable, refillable asthma inhaler designed by a student inspired by their own experience with asthma.

• Bouncepadz: A kinetic floor pad that transforms everyday school footsteps into clean, renewable electricity.

In just four years, YGBC has expanded rapidly, growing 100% year-on-year for the last two years and reaching 13,234 students this year alone. To date, over 27,000 young people across 100 schools have participated. The results speak for themselves: 79% of participants report feeling more hopeful about their ability to tackle climate change, while 80% develop critical future-employability skills in teamwork and problem-solving.

Kat Crisp, Co-Founder of the Young Green Briton Challenge, said:

“The climate emergency isn't a future threat; it's the reality young people are inheriting. We believe that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. We don’t just want to teach facts—we want to give young people the agency, tools, and confidence to build the future. With the Aviva Foundation doubling every single donation, a £15 gift turns into £30, funding a seed grant for an entire student team. We have the roadmap to scale; we just need the fuel to reach more schools.”

A participating secondary school teacher added:

“It brings joy to learning and gives young people the agency to become changemakers.”

In addition to financial donations, the campaign is offering unique rewards for supporters, including handmade seed cards produced by YGBC alumni and invitations to Regional Showcase Events in 2027. The project is also calling out for industry experts to pledge their time later in the year to facilitate, mentor, and judge upcoming student pitches.

Members of the public and businesses looking to double their impact and support the next generation of green entrepreneurs can donate at: https://communitiesfund.avivafoundation.org.uk/p/ygbc until 7 July 2026.