We’re proud to be part of the global movement inspired by The Earthshot Prize, a prestigious initiative launched by The Prince of Wales and The Royal Foundation in 2020.
Based around five ambitious “Earthshots” the Prize sets out bold goals to tackle the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges by 2030. It recognises and rewards innovative solutions that have the power to repair and regenerate our world before it’s too late.
You can find out about some of the inspirational innovators and how they are using their big ideas to change the world on the Earthshot website.
After an inspiring first year, Climate Challenge Cymru is back for 2026, and we’re once again calling on young innovators across Wales to take part!
In partnership with Welsh Government and inspired by The Earthshot Prize, this school innovation challenge invites learners aged 5–18 to showcase their creativity, passion, and ideas for a better planet.
This challenge involves celebrating solutions that have already been created or are being planned in schools, as well as using design thinking to come up with new solutions to one of five global challenges.
We’re looking for short, creative videos from learners aged 5-18.
The finalists in each category will be invited to a prestigious awards ceremony in summer 2026!
Keep reading to find out how to take part. The deadline is 18.00 on Friday 10 April.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to Climate Challenge Cymru:
Choose which theme you will focus your challenge on. Click on the links below for more information.
One you’ve selected your theme, please make sure you register for the competition. A member of the Eco-Schools team will then be in touch with further guidance, useful resources and details of how to submit your entry.
Each Earthshot theme covers a range of different areas that you could choose to explore in more detail. For example, you could choose to investigate why we waste so much food as part of Waste-Free World, or the role of seaweed within Fix our Climate.
The Generation Earthshot website is a great place to start for tips on investigating the problem and prioritising an area. We’ve also pulled together lots of resources from our Eco-Schools partners to help with every stage of your challenge.
How will you take innovative action in your school community to tackle your chosen challenge?
You can either build on a project you’ve already started, or plan and begin a new project to take action.
Remember to think about your impact. Tell us the results of what you’re doing or plan to do. How will you measure impact and share your work with your whole school community?
Think BIG to design an additional solution for your chosen Earthshot that could be used around the world.
Be as creative as you want – just because it hasn’t been done before, doesn’t mean it can’t be done! Last year, we saw videos featuring robot seagulls and an eco-friendly wedding event.
You don’t have to make your design, just plan it on paper or digitally, or even get creative with a prototype model! Please keep in mind that this is a video-based competition.
Once all the background work is done and you’ve got your ideas, you’re ready to film.
We want you to be as creative as possible; you just need to cover the following points in your video:
Videos should be shot in landscape and be no longer than three minutes.
Entries are welcome in English and Welsh, and we can accept up to five entries per school.
Entries will be judged by an external panel during April and the finalists in each category will be notified in May.
The prestigious celebration and prizegiving will take place in summer 2026 (we’ll cover travel costs and food for all finalists).
You’ll need to choose one of five Earthshot themes for your Climate Challenge Cymru video. Click on the boxes to learn more, and watch last year’s winners and finalists for inspiration.
I’m absolutely thrilled that Climate Challenge Cymru will be returning in 2026. This year, we were blown away by the creativity and determination of young people across Wales, and I can’t wait to see how they build on that success. The challenge gives learners the chance to turn their ideas into action and share their solutions on a national stage. At Keep Wales Tidy, through the Eco-Schools programme, we’re proud to play a small supporting role as they lead the way towards a more sustainable future. Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive
I’m absolutely thrilled that Climate Challenge Cymru will be returning in 2026. This year, we were blown away by the creativity and determination of young people across Wales, and I can’t wait to see how they build on that success. The challenge gives learners the chance to turn their ideas into action and share their solutions on a national stage. At Keep Wales Tidy, through the Eco-Schools programme, we’re proud to play a small supporting role as they lead the way towards a more sustainable future.
Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive
Climate Challenge Cymru has been a completely unforgettable experience. The hard work (and fun) leading up to the competition was amazing. The event was utterly inspiring. I found it interesting to see new ideas and meet likeminded people who care for our environment. Fleur Jones, a Year 9 pupil at Gwernyfed High School, Revive Our Oceans Winner
Climate Challenge Cymru has been a completely unforgettable experience. The hard work (and fun) leading up to the competition was amazing. The event was utterly inspiring. I found it interesting to see new ideas and meet likeminded people who care for our environment.
Fleur Jones, a Year 9 pupil at Gwernyfed High School, Revive Our Oceans Winner
Our project was inspired by the issues raised in our annual COP (Conference of Pennar) Climate Conference, so the work has truly been led by the learners. Every pupil and member of staff has been involved, and it is ongoing in the school. We are absolutely delighted that their hard work and dedication has been recognised at the Climate Challenge Cymru awards. It has been super inspiring to see all the wonderful work happening in schools across Wales and has given us a lot of ideas for what we would like to focus on next year. Sian Taylor, Eco-Schools Lead at Pennar Community School, Build a Waste-Free World Winner
Our project was inspired by the issues raised in our annual COP (Conference of Pennar) Climate Conference, so the work has truly been led by the learners. Every pupil and member of staff has been involved, and it is ongoing in the school. We are absolutely delighted that their hard work and dedication has been recognised at the Climate Challenge Cymru awards. It has been super inspiring to see all the wonderful work happening in schools across Wales and has given us a lot of ideas for what we would like to focus on next year.
Sian Taylor, Eco-Schools Lead at Pennar Community School, Build a Waste-Free World Winner
We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved with our STOP, LOOK, LICHEN! project. It has enabled myself and our eco team to get the message across about importance of climate change. It has been so interesting learning about the importance of lichens as bioindicators. I am really enjoying teaching others about it. Zach Jones, Year 6 pupil and one of the Ynysddu’s Super Ambassadors, Clean Our Air Winner
We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved with our STOP, LOOK, LICHEN! project. It has enabled myself and our eco team to get the message across about importance of climate change. It has been so interesting learning about the importance of lichens as bioindicators. I am really enjoying teaching others about it.
Zach Jones, Year 6 pupil and one of the Ynysddu’s Super Ambassadors, Clean Our Air Winner
Our Eco-Taskforce have worked hard to make a difference both locally and globally. Working with the students in the UAE showed our pupils that we had common concerns, ideas and goals. It was wonderful to see the ideas and teamwork build and flourish towards such a positive outcome. Ysgol Clywedog teacher Nicholas Brown, Protect and Restore Nature Winner
Our Eco-Taskforce have worked hard to make a difference both locally and globally. Working with the students in the UAE showed our pupils that we had common concerns, ideas and goals. It was wonderful to see the ideas and teamwork build and flourish towards such a positive outcome.
Ysgol Clywedog teacher Nicholas Brown, Protect and Restore Nature Winner
