NAAEE Changemakers

The NAAEE Changemaker Program is seeking to expand where and when people learn over their lifetime by providing EE 30 Under 30 alumni the opportunity to apply for a small grant to invest in innovative community projects. For nearly five decades, the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) has been a leader in promoting excellence in environmental education (EE) throughout North America and around the world. In 2016, NAAEE launched the 30 Under 30 program to recognize exceptional environmental education leaders under the age of 30, and since then has showcased 120 leaders from around the world who are harnessing the power of education to create a more sustainable future. EE 30 Under 30 alumni receive a range of professional development and networking opportunities, enabling them to continue to grow as leaders, network with professionals in the field, and develop their capacity to create change at local, national, and global levels. To leverage their leadership and transformative solutions, NAAEE launched the EE 30 Under 30 Changemaker Grants. 15 grants, ranging from $5,000 – $10,000, focus on solutions in these key areas: resilient communities, low-carbon economies, and healthy ecosystems.

ILI assisted the program in providing professional learning opportunities for recipients (both in-person and virtual) to build their capacity to evaluate and research the impacts of their projects and assisted NAAEE in demonstrating the collective influence of all the projects.

Project Team: Monae Verbeke Ph.D.