Get active for biodiversity and climate protection - young people can now do so thanks to a new initiative: The BILLA Foundation Blühendes Österreich (Blooming Austria) is looking for the best project ideas from young people and youth organisations. € 300,000 are available from 2022 to 2024 for the implementation of youth projects for more biodiversity - the first call starts on 15th October 2022.
Peter Iwaniewicz (Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology), Alexander Hilkenmeier (Federal Youth Council & jury member), Tanja Dietrich-Hübner (Head of Sustainability BILLA AG & Head of Blossoming Austria), Sophie Krabina (jury member), Ronald Würflinger (Managing Director Blossoming Austria), Lena Rauter (Head of CliMates Austria & jury member), Andreas Schwarz (Deputy Federal Head of Youth Austria), Gabriele Obermayr (Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology). Landjugend Österreich), Gabriele Obermayr (Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology), Ruth Rohrmoser (Coordination of Educational Projects GLOBAL 2000), Alexander Frauneder (Jury Member)
/ Copyright: BILLA/ Robert Harson,
Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge
Together with its partners from the youth sector and the Ministry, the BILLA Foundation Blühendes Österreich strengthens the changemakers of today and tomorrow. The partner organisations are Bundesjugendvertretung, CliMates Austria, GLOBAL 2000, Landjugend Österreich, BILLA Lehrlings- und Nachwuchsförderung and the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology.
Changemaker #nature gives young people a voice, involves them in development and decision-making processes and makes them active shapers of sustainable development in Austria. Individuals between the ages of 14 and 27 and youth organisations can submit entries. All youth initiatives, young farmers, teachers and kindergarten teachers can be changemakers for more biodiversity and species diversity.
By young people for young people
A central role in Changemaker #nature is played by the jury, which is made up of a maximum of twelve young members aged between 14 and 27. The jury members are nominated by Blooming Austria and the partner organisations and select the best projects from the submissions.
"I think it is very important to think about our future on this earth and to secure it - especially to make other young people aware of the issue."
Tayfun ArslanBILLA apprentice and jury member
"I think it is very important to think about our future on this earth and to secure it - especially to make other young people aware of the issue. I am looking forward to the ideas and projects that will be presented, which will hopefully drive necessary changes and measures in the future," Tayfun Arslan, BILLA apprentice and jury member, underlines his motivation to actively participate in the jury.
"Austria is currently primarily a habitat for humans; there is no room for animals and plants. Changemaker #nature is a chance for young people to use their own hands to make Austria a habitat for creatures other than humans again. I am very much looking forward to realising this with you," says Pia Balàka, student and jury member.
This is what we want to make possible
We are looking for projects that contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and species diversity in Austria, that restore or enhance threatened biotopes or natural areas. Projects such as flowering areas with native meadow species, amphibian ponds, hedges with native woody plants, orchards with old varieties and volunteer ice plantations on ecologically particularly valuable areas can be submitted.
The Calls: Funding and Project Budget 2022, 2023 and 2024
Blühendes Österreich provides € 300,000 for biodiversity projects, which will be distributed as project funding within the framework of three calls in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Projects are funded with a maximum of € 10,000 each. The selection process takes place in two stages: The team of Blühendes Österreich and invited experts carry out a preliminary review of the submissions and draw up a shortlist, which is presented to the jury for the selection of the winning projects. Blühendes Österreich and experts then support the project applicants in finalising the project concept.
Sabrina Prochaska, chairperson of the Federal Youth Council and jury member, is enthusiastic about the initiative and supports it with full conviction:
"As a legally anchored representation of the interests of all children and young people in Austria, youth participation is a central concern for us. In addition to supporting youth projects, what motivates us about Changemaker #nature is that young people are actively involved in the selection process. In this way, we as a young jury decide which youth projects will be supported and thus make an important contribution to nature and climate protection".
The winners will not only receive financial support, but will also be accompanied by workshops, networking meetings and media work as part of the Changemaker #nature Academy.
"Especially the younger generations want to make a difference and this project gives them the opportunity to do so."
Elke WilgmannBILLA CEO
"We have deliberately addressed the new project of our Foundation Blooming Austria Changemaker #nature to the generation of the future in order to create an even stronger awareness for biodiversity and climate protection. Especially the younger generations want to make a difference and this project gives them the opportunity to do so," emphasises Elke Wilgmann, BILLA Executive Director.
Changemaker #nature is funded by the Biodiversity Fund of the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology.
"Biodiversity secures the basis of life and is a central prerequisite for sustainable development. With the Biodiversity Fund, we have created a funding channel that will contribute to the implementation of the Austrian Biodiversity Strategy and the achievement of the Austrian biodiversity goals," explains Gabriele Obermayr, Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology.
