Young Reporters for the Environment National Competition in Canada

Deadline: 14-Apr-23

EcoSchools Canada is excited to share with you this year’s competition which will advocate on three global topics: biodiversity loss, climate and environmental pollution.

YRE Canada is a national environmental education program that offers youth the opportunity to amplify their voices, raise awareness and advocacy on local environmental/climate issues through critical thinking, creativity and reporting.

Participants (aged between 11-18) investigate and report on environmental issues, and propose solutions, by using video, photography or writing.

YRE Canada is part of Young Reporters for the Environment – an international program by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

Acceptance Criteria

• Sumbmissions must include the following:
  • The name of the author(s).
  • Their age on the day of submission to the National Competition
  • The name of their registered school or group
• The submissions must also:
  • Be the correct length, size and format, etc. See specific guidelines for articles, photographs, and videos.
  • Be submitted in written or spoken English, or have English subtitles in the case of a video.
  • Be focused on a pertinent (real and current) local issue. This year’s themes are climate change, pollution and loss of biodiversity though submissions are not required to connect to these themes.
  • Concentrate on possible solutions or present existing possible solutions, using the knowledge of different local stakeholders or experts.
  • Have accreditation and have permission for usage of the pictures and music which are not original and used in articles or videos.
  • Include information about chosen Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), with explanation of how the submission addresses the link between the topic and the chosen SDG.

Competition Rules

• The YRE Canada National Competition is open to entrants in two categories: ages 11-14, and ages 15-18. Article, photo, or video submissions must meet a few criteria. Pieces should:
  • Investigate solutions to a local environmental issue/problem based on this year’s themes of pollution, loss of biodiversity, or climate change that have to be linked to a chosen Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
  • Report on the chosen issue through writing, photos, or video.
  • Students may submit more than one piece and can work individually or in groups of up to three people. Please note, winners in each category and age group will be publicly displayed and promoted on EcoSchools Canada’s social media and website.

For more information, visit YRE.