Plant-for-the-Planet Receives UNESCO Award for Climate Education in Germany

What does it take for young people to move from learning about the climate crisis to taking action? At Plant-for-the-Planet, this question has shaped our empowerment work, and it is also at the heart of why we were recognized with the UNESCO ESD Award in Germany. Over the years, we’ve seen that when young people are given the space, the tools, and the support to engage, they get involved and begin to shape change in their communities.

Creating Spaces Where Young People Can Take Action

Since 2008, Plant-for-the-Planet has been working with children and youth in Germany. Through its Academies, one-day workshops, children come together to explore the causes and consequences of the climate crisis in a hands-on way. They learn through interaction and experience, stepping into different roles in simulations, discussing real-world challenges, planting trees, and developing their own ideas for action. Along the way, they build confidence and motivation, and begin to see that they can make a difference.

What makes these spaces powerful is that they are shaped by young people themselves. Trained Climate Justice Ambassadors, often only a few years older, lead the sessions, sharing what they have learned and encouraging others to find their own voice. It’s a form of peer-to-peer learning and many participants leave with new insights going beyond conventional education and with the motivation to start projects and connect with others who share their commitment to climate justice.

Alongside the Academies, school workshops bring these topics directly into schools, and events like the annual Children’s Conference create space for Climate Justice Ambassadors from across Germany to come together, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.

What the UNESCO ESD Award Stands For

Last week in Dresden, our work was recognized by receiving the UNESCO “National Award – Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)”, presented by the German Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, together with the German Commission for UNESCO. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is a global framework led by UNESCO that focuses on helping people understand complex challenges like the climate crisis, reflect on their own role, and develop the skills and confidence to take action. “Education is the essence of freedom, and that’s what UNESCO is built on. A big part of that lies within civil society,” said Dr. Roman Luckscheiter during a panel discussion at the event. In practice, ESD connects knowledge with empowerment, critical thinking, and participation. Being recognized within this framework highlights the importance of creating learning spaces where young people can engage with real-world issues and help shape a more sustainable and just future. It was especially inspiring to meet so many organizations from across Germany that are making a difference through education.

“Receiving the BNE Award shows the value of our work. It thrives on the many young people who are courageously and hopefully advocating for climate justice. Especially in these challenging times, it motivates us to keep stepping up, taking responsibility, and acting together,” said Helena Thiemeier, who received the prize on behalf of Plant-for-the-Planet.

Growing a Global Community

Over time, our approach has grown far beyond Germany. Today, more than 110,000 young people, Climate Justice Ambassadors, in 76 countries are part of this global community. Yet the focus remains the same internationally: creating spaces where learning leads to action, and where young people experience that they are not powerless in the face of the climate crisis, but capable of being part of the solution. Because when communities are resilient and young people are empowered, real change becomes possible.

Learn more about our empowerment work here, or support our work and help make it possible.