Applications to Grow Wild's 2024 Youth Grant opportunity are now closed.
Are you aged 14–25? Apply for a £500 Grow Wild grant to bring your nature project to life this summer!
UK native plants and fungi need your help...
We are calling on young people to come up with a project idea to celebrate why UK native plants and/or fungi are so special.
Whether you're into sowing or sewing, photography or video making, science or cooking... if you've got an idea, we want to hear from you. You can apply as an individual or as a group of up to 6 people.
Join us on our mission.
What You Get
- A £500 grant for your project. This can be used for anything you might need from materials, equipment, resources to helpful training.
- Support and online training from Grow Wild.
- Opportunities to connect with a community of young nature enthusiasts completing projects across the UK.
- The chance to complete Kew's Young Environmental Leader Award designed to work alongside your Grow Wild project and recognise your achievements.
- This is a unique opportunity to bring your own project vision to life!
- You’ll be taking positive action for biodiversity and your community.
- You'll get to connect to, inspire and have fun with others.
- It’s a great way to add experience to your CV or portfolio.
Not at all!
In fact, we particularly like receiving applications from people who don’t already know much about our UK native species.
Running your own project is a great way to learn. We're looking for enthusiasm and interesting project ideas.
If you are under 18, please firstly obtain permission from a parent or guardian before getting started on your application.
- Find a Supporting Organisation to help you deliver the project.
- Read our guidance for Applicants and guidance for Supporting Organisations.
- Come up with your exciting project idea! You can choose to complete your project by yourself, or as a group of up to 6 people.
- Make a two-minute video telling us about your project idea
- Once you're ready to apply, submit our online application form.
Application Deadline: 3pm on 19th March 2024
Projects can be started in May and must be completed by the end of October 2024.
Guidance for Applicants and Supporting Organisations
We're glad you asked...
The Kew Young Environmental Leader Award (YELA) acknowledges the leadership skills you will develop and demonstrate through delivering your Grow Wild project.
By completing the award alongside your Grow Wild project, you will have access to exclusive online training and resources. The award is designed to complement your Grow Wild project, offering recognition from The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to add to your CV or portfolio. You can complete the award individually or as part of a group.
Read more about the Kew Young Environmental Leader Award
We encourage everyone receiving a Grow Wild Youth Project Grant to complete the award but sign up is optional. Full details and sign-up information will be provided to successful applicants on receipt of their project grants.
Apply for a Youth Grant
To apply for a 2024 Grow Wild Youth Grant, fill in our online application form by 3pm, Tuesday 19 March 2024.
Before applying, please make sure you have carefully read our application guidance with your Supporting Organisation contact.
Heath Hands, Ines Stuart-Davidson/RGB Kew
Why are UK Native plants important to protect?
In the UK we’re lucky to have a wonderful variety of native plant species. As well as bringing colour and interest to our lives, they provide vital food sources and shelter for insects, birds and other wildlife.
Many UK native species are in decline, particularly in urban areas.
Learn more about what defines 'UK native' plants
Wildflowers at Incredible Edible Garforth's Community Wildlife Area
Previous Projects
Need Inspiration? We’ve funded and supported 342 young people to run their own project since 2014. You could be next...
'I would recommend everyone to do a Grow Wild Youth Project because it doesn't matter what field you're in, if you have a passion for nature, there's no point not to.'
Rahul Goel, Wildflower Wonders, Youth Project 2022
Contact us
Got some questions? Keen to talk through ideas? Get in touch with us.
Email: hellogrowwild@kew.org
Telephone: 07824 104 632
With thanks to our funders
Grow Wild Youth Grants for 2024 are supported by The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.
We are also grateful for the gifts in Wills that have supported this programme.
Grow Wild is the national outreach initiative of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
