The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) takes place in Glasgow on 1 – 12 November 2021. Hosted by the UK, this international climate change summit will bring together over 30,000 delegates, including heads of states, climate experts and campaigners to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. 

The British Council is working with partners worldwide to support the success and legacy of COP26 by creating opportunities for cooperation, dialogue and action in arts, education and science that address the shared challenges of climate change. There will be an innovative and creative programme of activity and engagement which includes bringing together UK Alumni from Turkey to share learning, engage in advocacy and build networks.

The British Council in Turkey initiated this 'UK Alumni Climate Change Grant Call' to select projects that will raise young people’s (between the ages of 18-35) awareness on climate change and environmental issues in Turkey. The call is for innovative projects to be delivered by the UK alumni from Turkey, that also showcase expertise and innovation in the UK in this area. 

The grants to be provided will be in the range of minimum 1,000 GBP and maximum 6,000 GBP per project.

This initiative is aligned with the outcomes foreseen under the Youth Engagement strand of the British Council’s COP26 programme, namely: 

• Young people have an increased awareness about climate challenges,
• Young people’s concerns are heard and acknowledged by community, national and international leaders

Application deadline: 11 Jan 2021, 17.00 Turkey time.

Selection Criteria for Applications: 

1. Being a UK alumni holding a Turkish passport and living in Turkey at the time of applying and for the duration of this project.

 UK alumni for this project are defined as individuals who have; 

• studied at a UK university in the UK for a minimum of one term or semester, or
• awarded a full UK degree level qualification (or higher) by a recognised or listed UK Higher Education Institution, in or outside the UK, or 
• spent a minimum of one year in an English Language course in the UK.

2. Demonstrating with this project:

• impact (number of young people reached and how their increased awareness will create impact) 
• innovation (how young people are reached and engaged)
• sustainability (until at least COP26 in November 2021)
• integration of British Council’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion principles (where possible) (please see this link for more information on British Council’s EDI policy)

Preference will be given to applications that offer opportunities to showcase expertise and innovation in the UK in relation to environmental and climate change issues. This might be in the form of establishing partnerships with UK organisations and/or promoting climate change related courses in UK universities.

Timeline:

By submitting their application, UK Alumni agrees on the following timeline: