What is education for sustainability? And what could it be?
At SEEd, we believe education for sustainability only works when it is shaped by those who it aims to support. Join a space designed to give you the power to influence how SEEd, and education itself, evolves.
You are invited to join SEEd’s first Young Advisors Panel, where you can learn about the work we do, how we design it and then give us your thoughts. We already use feedback and incorporate it whenever we can, and have always found it useful. After all, SEEd’s Young Changemakers Programme is for you and other young people, and your futures. So, it has to meet your requirements, be accessible and build the skills and competencies you want to live and work sustainably.I hope you enjoy the panel – designed to give you enough information and to learn from each other, to give us your considered opinions.
Ann Finlayson, SEEd Founder, SEEdAnn has worked in sustainability and sustainability education nearly all her life, and is now looking forward to hearing your ideas first-hand.
Aged 16-18 years old? This Panel is for you!
Join a 5 week programme of insight and inquiry.
One 2-hour online meeting each week.
Gain a certificate at the end for your work.
What is the Panel?
We are recruiting participants for our new youth-led opportunity: the SEEd Young Advisors Panel 2026. During the online programme, you, as a Young Advisor, will think about the question:
“What is education for sustainability? And what could it be?”
As a Young Advisor, you will be challenged to reflect on your experiences with education, look at current educational practices with a critical eye and share your ideas about future directions. You will do this while reviewing our Young Changemakers programme, which will provide a perfect example for your inquiry.
Why Take Part?
- Learn about becoming an agent of change
- Develop an understanding of learning for sustainability
- Build confidence in discussions and creating collaboratively agreed advice
- Connect with peers and mentors passionate about education for sustainability
- Take part in learning for sustainability workshops
- Receive a certificate for your participation and learning
I am really looking forward to welcoming you to SEEd’s first Young Advisors Panel. I simply want to say how meaningful this initiative feels to me. One of the reasons I am part of SEEd is its genuine respect for young people’s voices. I will be supporting some of your activities and am especially excited to hear your perspectives. SEEd has always taken youth insight seriously, and this panel creates another intentional space for that dialogue to take shape – I hope you find it informative and empowering.
Kia Shackleton, SEEd Youth Board Chair, SEEdKia is also a primary school teacher and is doing her PhD at the University of Plymouth in Education for Sustainability.
What would I do?
Through small-group discussions with fellow Young Advisors, and other individuals working in the field, you will be guided to build your own understanding of education for sustainability. The Panel is an opportunity for you to formulate your message and make the voices of young people be heard.
As a Young Advisor, you will have the chance to tell your story directly to the SEEd Board and SEEd Team, who are committed to taking your advice seriously.
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility: Anyone aged 16-18 can apply.
Commitment: Beyond the weekly 2-hour online meeting with other Young Advisors, be prepared to put aside 1 hour of time to prepare written reflections each week.
Support: Don’t worry if this sounds quite heavy, you’ll get all the guidance and support needed to make your voice heard.
Important Dates
Application Deadline: May 1st 2026 (Midnight)
Interviews: May 9th 2026
Programme Launch: May 18th 2026
Handover Event: June 27th 2026
Overview of the Programme
- The panel runs for five weeks between the 18th May and 21st June (exact timings will be confirmed).
- There will be one 2-hour online meeting per week in the early evening.
- You are expected to attend at least 80% of the meetings
- You are also expected to prepare and submit brief (200-400 word) written reflections between meetings to support continuous learning and accountability, alongside other preparational activities – this requires an extra 1 hour per week
- In the meetings, we expect active participation in group discussions
- You will present your advice to the SEEd Board at an online Handover Event near the end of June
Great, so how do I apply?
Got questions?
Contact Lili at lili@se-ed.org.uk for any enquiries regarding eligibility for the programme.
A very warm welcome on behalf of all the SEEd board of trustees! As SEEd grows its participatory approach such as the Young Advisors Panel is an important addition to our work. The panel’s reflections and ideas will provide vital insights into the board’s work and development, providing fresh eyes and perspectives to enhance what we do. I hope this can challenge our thinking and stretch our perspectives on what we do and how we are doing it. I am sure you will bring many ideas on ‘What if..’ to the table. My message to you making your applications is to be bold, creative and know that we value your ideas and suggestions very highly. I am really looking forward to watching how this newly formed group can contribute to enhancing SEEds vision and mission. Thank you for contributing your passion, time and knowledge!
Cathy d'Abreu, SEEd Chair, SEEdCathy is also a Professor at the University of Oxford Brookes, and an expert in education for sustainability – one of many SEEd trustees ready to listen to and incorporate your ideas.
Learn More About SEEd’s Work
