The National Environment Agency (NEA) launches the new Youth for Environmental Sustainability (YES) Programme today. This initiative aims to support youth interest in environmental sustainability throughout the year, in partnership with key community stakeholders.
The YES Programme traces its roots to NEA’s annual Youth for the Environment Day (YED). From a traditional single-day event celebrating youth environmental contributions, the new, year-long YES Programme provides a more sustained platform to engage youths and develop their environmental leadership capabilities. The YES Programme also supports the Singapore Green Plan 2030’s Sustainable Living pillar, by encouraging active green citizenry by youths.
The YES Programme has three key goals:
· Build strong knowledge about Singapore’s environmental sustainability issues amongst youths;
· Develop future environmental leaders; and
· Engage youths more effectively for sustained, meaningful impact.
More young Singaporeans are becoming interested in the environmental sustainability challenges facing our community. The new YES Programme will provide a variety of opportunities to facilitate their involvement in tackling these challenges, through ongoing digital engagement, leadership training, a youth forum, and partnership projects.
Developing Future Leaders
NEA and Youth Corps Singapore (Youth Corps) are collaborating for the first time to develop youth environmental leaders through NEA’s YES edition of the Youth Corps Leaders Programme. The structured programme supports aspiring youths between 17 to 25 years old to develop their knowledge, skillsets, and experience on environment sustainability issues. Participants will be tasked to initiate and lead projects or movements to tackle pressing environmental issues in the community over a period of nine to 12 months.
Participants who successfully complete the programme will be conferred the title of Youth Corps Leaders by Youth Corps and receive official recognition as YES Ambassadors by NEA, to continue their future involvement with both organisations on sustainability initiatives. Registration for NEA’s YES edition of the Youth Corps Leaders Programme is open from now till 1 September 2021, and the programme will begin in December 2021.
A YES Leaders Forum is planned for 2022. At this forum, youths will have a chance to network with like-minded peers and discuss sustainability issues, and participants in the Leaders Programme can share the progress of their projects and obtain additional views and support. More information will be provided nearer to the date.
Partnerships to Support More Youth Actions
NEA welcomes the support of partners and stakeholders to provide opportunities for our youths to be involved in meaningful activities and contribute to Singapore’s long-term sustainability. Partners who have relevant programmes and volunteering opportunities can publicise their activities on the YES microsite, which provides a convenient site for youths to find information.
One such programme is the Upcycling Edition of the Zero Waste Testbed Initiative @ South West. A collaboration among NUS, South West CDC, SembWaste and L’Oréal Group Singapore, consumers will soon be able to bring their empty beauty product containers to dedicated collection points and upcycle them into new products. More details about this initiative is available in the Annex.
Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment said, “Our youth play an important role in Singapore’s sustainability journey, and we want to tap on their boundless energy and ideas. Through the YES Programme, we will empower our youth to tackle environmental issues by providing them with opportunities to exchange ideas and lead initiatives. Our youth can effect positive changes and inspire more Singaporeans to join us in making Singapore a green and liveable home.”
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ANNEX
About YES Programme Partners
About Zero Waste Testbed Initiative @ South West – Upcycling Edition
The Zero Waste Testbed Initiative @ South West was launched by the National University of Singapore (NUS), South West Community Development Council (South West CDC) and SembWaste earlier this year. The initiative provides a funding and industry mentorship platform for NUS students and young alumni*, to create change by realising their ideas into actual practice, using the NUS campus as a Living Lab.
NUS, South West CDC, SembWaste and L’Oréal Group Singapore are now partnering to introduce an Upcycling Edition. L’Oréal Group will engage consumers in Singapore to bring their empty beauty containers (e.g. glass) from all brands, to dedicated collection points. Participating NUS students and young alumni can then develop and prototype innovative solutions to turn the empty containers into new products, that are useful or have a community social element to it.
*The initiative is also open to other youths if they form a team involving at least one NUS student or one young NUS alumni (within one year of graduation).
About NEA YES edition in Youth Corps Leaders Programme
In support of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, National Environment Agency (NEA) is collaborating with Youth Corps Singapore to develop strong youth leaders to facilitate active green citizenry.
NEA’s Youth for Environmental Sustainability (YES) edition of the Youth Corps Leaders Programme provides a structured pathway for aspiring youths between 17 to 25 years old to build environmental knowledge, skillsets and experience. Aspiring Youth Leaders will be tasked to start and lead projects to tackle pressing environmental issues in the community, and contribute towards creating a more Sustainable Singapore.
Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive official recognition as a Youth Corps Leader and NEA YES Ambassador.
About the National Youth Council (全国青年理事会)
At NYC, we believe in a world where young people are respected and heard, and have the ability to influence and make a difference to the world. Together with our partners, we develop future-ready youth who are committed to Singapore by instilling in them a heart for service, resilience and an enterprising spirit.
About Youth Corps Singapore (新加坡青年志愿团队)
Launched in 2014 by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the National Youth Council, Youth Corps Singapore is a national institution that supports youths who are keen to serve the community. Youth Corps’ mission is to champion youth volunteerism to build active citizenry for a caring and cohesive society. It provides the breadth and depth of volunteering opportunities for youths through various community service events, regular volunteering programmes, the Youth Expedition Project (YEP) and leadership development programmes.
