Countdown is calling on Aotearoa’s young environmentalists to share their most inventive ideas to combat climate change with applications for its annual Growing for Good grants closing this week.
The programme aims to help the next generation take strides in tackling climate change by turning classroom learning into real-life action. A $50,000 grant pool is up for grabs with $10,000 available for each winning project.
The programme has seen some incredible Kiwi ingenuity emerge over the last few years and Countdown’s Head of Sustainability, Catherine Langabeer, says the grants enable important conversations about climate change in the classroom and result in practical solutions for the community.
“With Growing for Good now in its fifth year, we’ve seen some amazing projects come to life from installing wind and solar panel stations at a school marae, to developing more sustainable packaging options for school lunches. Each year students have stepped it up and we can’t wait to see what this year brings.
“We also acknowledge it’s been a challenging start to the year for Kiwi across Aotearoa, especially those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and Auckland flooding. We’ve seen our own team and our growers impacted, so this year’s Growing for Good grants feel even more significant through our recent lived experiences of climate change.
“As those most impacted continue to recover, we hope students are inspired to think outside the box and enter ideas that strengthen resilience in the face of our changing climate,” says Langabeer.
Countdown has set its own ambitious sustainability targets with over 40 commitments to meet as part of its plan, including a commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 63% by 2030.
“Alongside our Growing for Good programme, we know we have a critical role to play as one of Aotearoa’s largest businesses and we’re working on a number of other initiatives like reducing food waste from our stores, and improving how we package our Own Brand products to create a more sustainable world,” adds Langabeer.
Growing for Good grant submissions opened in early May to all schools and ECEs across Aotearoa. Applications close on 4 June 2023.
To apply visit www.countdown.co.nz/info/community-and-environment/food-for-good/growing-for-good-grants
