Highlands & Islands
Climate Collective

Highlands & Islands Climate Collective is here to support young people aged 16-30 to take climate action in Highland, Orkney & Shetland. We spotlight ways that you can take action, connect with community groups and organisations, and help you build skills to enter a sustainable career.

We’ve brought together opportunities from our members, community groups and organisations across the region for you to get involved with:

Training

Green Career Opportunities

Volunteering

Events

We are also keen to support members of the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub, organisations and community groups to develop opportunities for young people to get involved. We’ve collated essential resources to guide youth engagement.

Support

Have you got an opportunity to share with young people? Submit your opportunity to H&I Climate Collective’s community here!
A group of teenage school pupils gathered around a table negotiating during a Mock COP

Meet the Youth Advisory Board

H&I Climate Collective is guided by our Youth Advisory Board so it remains aligned to the needs and priorities of young people across the region.

By joining our Youth Advisory Board you shape H&I Climate Collective, reach out to us with your interest in joining by sending an email to enquiries@hiclimatehub.co.uk.

A girl with brown hair and a daisy headband standing in front of a waterfall.

Daisy Hunt

I really enjoy map-reading and hillwaking, so being able to help other young people connect with their local environment is exciting. I joined the Youth Advisory Board to develop professional communication skills, help plan events and gain an understanding of sustainability which will help my future career.

A teenage boy with a red hat and black jacket on driving a boat in a loch whilst the sun is setting behind him.

James Wilkie

Going for long runs and walks in my local area really makes me appreciate the environment around me and I want everyone to be able to access the outdoor environment. I’ve been involved with MaCCOLL marine conservation charity and want to meet new people through H&I Climate Collective.

Boe McLean

I joined H&I Climate Hub's YAB as I love all things outdoors and nature, and am incredibly passionate about gaining strong community representation within climate-related discussions and actions. Being based in Orkney: I have not only witnessed destructive and life-altering impacts climate change can create for vulnerable areas, but also the resilience, innovation, and sense of togetherness needed to address it.

A teenage girl with blonde hair, a brown coat and purple scarf standing in a landscape of hills with the sea behind her.

Niamh Macdonald

Living in rural Highland, I already see the impacts of climate change on my community. As someone with a passion for local heritage I want to see how we can protect our history and adapt for the future. As well as history I enjoy reading, gaming and crochet.

Training & Education Resources

A group of 4 young adults standing around a flipchart discussing how their project can be successful and adding post it notes. They are smiling.

Green Career Opportunities

A father and his two daughters talking to the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub at a recruitment event. The stand has a blue tablecloth and leaflets.

Volunteering

Two women picking litter from the banks of a loch. They are crouched down in the foreground filling up bags and in the background is the loch.

Events

H&I Climate Collective will be bringing you events throughout the year to develop your skills and explore climate action. You’ll be able to find them listed here and sign up to join us!

Our Launch Event

Want to find out more about what you can expect from H&I Climate Collective? Watch the recording of our Launch Event where we shared our ambitions and heard from two inspiring speakers on their climate journey and sustainable careers!

Upcoming Events

Support for Community Groups & Organisations

By engaging young people in climate action you can benefit from their perspectives and skills. However it’s important to have strong safeguarding and recognition for young people in place.

Recognising & Awarding Young People

  • The Saltire Awards are a nationally recognised award for volunteering, for young people aged 12 – 25.

    Young people gain certificates, signed by Scottish Government ministers, for the volunteering they have successfully achieved.

    Highland Third Sector Interface (HTSI) have developed a comprehensive guide to the Saltire Award Types and how they can be administrated by groups.

    Read their Saltire Awards Guide here

    Read how to register here

  • Delivering the DofE Award enables young people aged 14-24 to gain Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards. For your organisation, it can strengthen your position within the community and positively impact on young people getting involved with local initiatives.

    To deliver the DofE programme, organisations must meet certain eligibility criteria, allowing them to then be granted a licence and become a Licensed Organisation (LO).

    Find out how to become a LO here.

  • Youth Scotland Awards enable young people to work towards 3 different achievement levels - HI5 Award, Dynamic Youth Award & Youth Achievement Awards.

    Charities & community groups can become a Delivery Hub through annual registration packs, which cost £500/year plus nominal fees for each award granted.

    Find out more here

Youth Engagement Toolkits

  • The Scottish Government has published guidelines to help the third sector, community groups and partners in the public and private sector to offer practical and effective volunteering opportunities to young people.

    It focuses on the key aspects of recruiting, retaining & developing young people.

    Read the guidelines here.

  • Youth VIP have designed a toolkit which is useful as a first starting point for organisations engaging with young people. It covers practical information like insurance, training and ongoing support.

    Read the full toolkit here

  • VolunteerWiki provides a comprehensive webpage which goes into detail on supporting yuth engagement and working with young volunteers.

    View the Wiki Page here

  • Future Forum brings together youth representatives and senior leadership from leading climate and conservation charities in the UK to discuss how the sector can better engage and empower young people.

    Organisations who join the initiative nominate two young people from their youth boards, a youth engagement manager and a member of senior leadership to sit on the Forum.

    The Future Forum convenes, supports and mentors the young people, helping them organise themselves into project groups, ensuring they are fully prepared for meetings with CEOs and senior leadership.

    Find out more and sign up here

A man showing a group of 7 school pupils how to tie a knot in a large length of fishing rope.
A poster made by a school pupil which has a drawing of the earth with a sad face, and the title "There is no planet B"

Join
H&I Climate Collective

The Highlands & Islands Climate Collective Newsletter lands in your inbox every quarter, packed with the latest updates, climate action opportunities, and information from us. It’s your go-to for finding out how to get involved and be part of what’s coming up - and by signing up it'll come straight to your inbox!