Young Friends of the Earth A network for young climate and environmental justice activists

The Environmental Justice Collective (EJC) is a 6-month leadership programme for young people aged 18 - 30 who are passionate about environmental and climate justice.

We exist because the climate crisis isn’t just about carbon emissions – it’s also about injustice. It's rooted in systems like racism, colonialism, ableism, classism and exploitation.

A network of young disabled and neurodivergent people and allies, who campaign on the intersection of climate justice and disability justice.

Groups in Leeds, Nottingham and Derry, Northern Ireland have developed disability justice manifestos.

My World My Home is a year-long leadership development programme for young people between the ages of 16 - 24, in association with Friends of the Earth and Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK).

During the course, participants learn how to plan and organise a local community campaign that’ll positively benefit their local environment. 

At Friends of the Earth, our Youth Team believes that true solidarity means taking practical action to support individuals, groups and organisations working on climate, environmental and social justice, whether or not they're a part of our network.

Our Youth Action Fund exists to resource campaigning on climate and environmental justice led by young people who are racialised, working class and/ or disabled.

Open to individuals and youth-led groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the fund offers up to £500 to support travel to events, start-up costs for new groups or project costs for campaigning.

Our Youth Action Fund supported Daphne Frias, a 26-year-old disability rights activist based in the US, when a funder withdrew support after she disclosed she would be speaking out on Palestine. 

During her time in the UK, Daphne worked on a documentary exploring the experiences of disabled young people living through heatwaves across continents.

Young Friends of the Earth Derry is a youth-led (18–30) local climate and social justice group based in Derry, Northern Ireland.

Meeting weekly (Thursdays, 18:00–20:00). All welcome
Contact: to attend our meeting: [email protected] 
Instagram: @yfoe_derry 

Climate. Youth. Society. (CYS) supported young people to explore the intersections of climate justice, creativity and community. Through this programme, young activists developed local campaigns, artistic projects and powerful resources.

The mentoring programme had 3 key aims:  

• To help create climate justice leaders of the future.
• To remove barriers to activism for young people who face marginalisation in the environmental movement.
• To amplify the voices of young people who are marginalised in the climate justice movement.

In action:

• Hear from CYS mentee turned peer mentor, Rowha Mohid, talk about her experience on our podcast.
• Read Roots by CYS mentee Anisha Jaya Minocha

Download and read our Climate. Youth. Society. course book.

Our youth gatherings brought together racialised, working class and disabled young people for a weekend of learning, connection and growth.

Designed with and for young people, these events removed barriers to access and prioritised inclusivity through thoughtful accommodation. Our gatherings offered private en-suite accommodation with accessibility in mind, including features like ceiling hoists, quiet spaces and neuro-inclusive programming. Prayer spaces and times were included in the schedule, and plain language guides supported young people with and without learning disabilities. As far as we know, it was the only space where young people with and without learning disabilities could campaign together in a truly inclusive environment.

Workshops were led by young people and covered topics from disability justice to craftivism and climate storytelling, while activities like zine-making and talent shows nurtured joy and creativity. We also created campaigns to hold corporations to account, tackled environmental racism and developed resources on disability justice. 

In action:

• Watch the video about our youth gatherings.