Three educational projects aimed at addressing climate anxiety, food insecurity and helping young people with visual impairments have been awarded funding in the first Big Education Challenge. The prize fund, run by education charity Big Change, aims to support the development of “bold ideas that have the potential to transform education and learning”. Winners of the award, which totals £1m, will share £170,000 with three runners up each receiving part of that sum. Other smaller prizes were awarded to three other educational projects.
CanTeam, led by Jonathan Harper, received £225k for its work to transform school canteens into “vibrant community hubs” that offer healthy, nutritious food to tackle food insecurity. “As a father of three, I am witness to the daily struggles families face,” Harper said. “By serving food after school, creating a sustainable solution to food insecurity, encouraging healthy eating and enabling young people to learn and thrive, we can revolutionise the way our young people eat and create more sustainable and equitable communities.”
Force of Nature, led by Clover Hogan, also won £225k. The organisation works to address students’ climate anxiety by preparing them for roles in a green economy and by developing their skills in public speaking, advising decision-makers and supporting peers and teachers within schools. Meanwhile, Paige Connect, created by Sergio Gosalvez, received £60k to develop an app allowing parents to read a translation of Braille to help them to support their children’s learning.
Essie North, CEO of Big Change, said: “Discovering these brilliant ideas and people should give us all hope…We are incredibly proud to support their journey, to show that change is possible, and I can’t wait to see the impact they will have on this and future generations.”
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