Generation Green connects 26,000 disadvantaged young people with nature
Youth-focused outdoor learning initiative exceeds targets and calls for policy integration.
A national coalition of youth and outdoor learning organisations has delivered nature-based experiences to over 26,000 young people through Generation Green 2, a £4.45 million programme funded by DEFRA.
Delivered by Access Unlimited, a group including the Scouts, Girlguiding, YHA, Field Studies Council and National Parks England, the initiative focused on young people from England’s most socially disadvantaged areas. Activities included residentials, farm visits, and stargazing in protected landscapes such as the Lake District, Surrey Hills, and Exmoor.
Although many participants came via schools, the programme also worked with community groups, asylum seekers, young carers and mentoring organisations, expanding its reach beyond formal education.
Early evaluation from the University of Derby highlighted gains in wellbeing, confidence, and environmental awareness. Teachers and partners also reported improvements in social cohesion and long-term engagement with the natural environment.
Martin Davidson, CEO of The Outward Bound Trust, said: 'When you give young people meaningful experiences in nature, they don’t just grow they thrive.'
Policy implications for L&D
While the programme focused on younger cohorts, its outcomes speak to broader themes in L&D: personal development, resilience, nature-based wellbeing, and early skills pipelines for green careers.
The report urges policymakers to integrate outdoor learning into education and youth strategies, and to secure long-term funding for inclusive access to nature, framing it as a matter of education, health and social justice, not just environment.
Read the full Generation Green 2 Impact Report via National Parks England.