InterClimate Network was chosen to receive a share of £500,000 as part of Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards, which is giving over £1million to good causes this year.  This will fund our innovative Action on Climate Together programme to empower an inclusive and effective youth-led community of climate action.

The awards are designed to help charities make a real difference in their communities. More than 900 charities applied for the funding which is being put towards the advancement of education and skills, rural and community development, heritage, arts and culture, and climate change and environment. The winning projects were selected against four criteria: impact and effectiveness, sustainability, innovation, and care and compassion. 

The Movement for Good Awards large grants provide charities with flexible funding that can be used within three years and for a blend of capital and running costs for their projects. 

“Our mission is to engage, educate, and inspire the next generation of climate leaders. We are delighted to have been awarded this grant and excited to be able to widen the reach of our work. We’re particularly pleased that young people will be able to link directly with Benefact Group staff and other experts, so developing skills and confidence to lead climate action.”

Ruben Brooke, Chair of Board of Trustees, InterClimate Network

What the grant will help us fund

Action on Climate Together (ACT) is a 20 month programme to empower an inclusive and effective youth-led community of climate action. We will work with lead groups of young people as they drive their own new peer-to-peer campaign ideas in up to 18 new secondary schools across the country.

Positive action is a key driver for ACT, helping to foster hope and a sense of agency for young people through effective climate campaigns and helping change happen. Students will first lead their own Climate Action Survey before coming together: for a sequence of virtual skills-based workshops; and in person events in London (2024) and Benefact House (2025). An important element is connecting groups with experts in relevant fields, including volunteers from the Benefact Group.

As a result of the project, 100 – 150  young beneficiaries will be recognised as leaders in climate action, with skills and confidence to meet their own targets, and knowledge of useful techniques to use again and again. Their work will prompt wider engagement in school, helping to sustain changes in behaviours. Successful actions will be shared to inspire other schools, influence local decisions and to inform future work.

Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, said:

“We understand the importance of longer-term funding for charities, especially when trying to bring ambitious new ideas to life and get larger transformative projects off the ground. Through our large grants, we are actively championing innovation, giving charities the backing they need to propel their plans forward and turn creative ideas into practical solutions that benefit society. Benefact Group is the third largest corporate donor in the UK and has an ambition to be the biggest. Owned by a charity ourselves, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do and all of our available profits go to good causes.”  

Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group. 

Notes for editors 

Contact details: info@interclimate.org

About Benefact Group   

  • Benefact Group is an independent, specialist financial services group that exists to give all its available profits to charity. Owned by a registered charity, Benefact Trust, Benefact Group’s family of businesses provide specialist insurance, investment management and broking and advisory services in the UK, Australia, Canada and Ireland. 
  • Benefact Group is the third-largest corporate donor to charity in the UK, according to the UK Guide to Company Giving 2023/24. It has donated almost £200m to charity since 2014 and is aiming to reach its target of giving £250m by 2025. Find out more here:  www.benefactgroup.com   

About the Movement for Good Awards 

  • Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards is giving away over £1million to help charities change lives for the better. 
  • 150 £1,000 grants were given away in June, a further 150 £1,000 grants were donated in September. 120 £1,000 grants will be given away in December. £200,000 will also be given away in £5,000 special grants, and £500,000 will be given in larger amounts over the course of the year. 
  • The Movement for Good large grants funding is being put towards the advancement of education and skills, rural and community development, heritage, arts and culture, and climate change and environment.  
  • Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group. 
  • For more information visit www.movementforgood.com 

Written by
InterClimate Network