Share

The History of the Environmental Leadership Programme

The Environmental Leadership Programme 2.0 (ELP2) was created by youth organisation, UpRising and came about as a result of their participation in the National Lottery-funded Our Bright Futures Consortium. From 2016-2020, Our Bright Futures funded UpRising to run its Environmental Leadership Programme for 500+ young people from diverse backgrounds, and Shropshire Wildlife Trust's Growing Confidence programme, to support 5,390 young people with outdoor experiences and practical conservation skills.

As Our Bright Futures ended, UpRising identified the value of outdoor learning and approached Shropshire Wildlife Trust to develop a programme across the West Midlands region - this is where the Environmental Leadership Programme 2.0 began.

As of Spring 2025, ELP2 and the team found a new home with Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, where it continues to be delivered with Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

The West Midlands Environmental Leadership Programme 2.0 (ELP2) is powered by Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts and Shropshire Wildlife Trust and is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Thanks to National Lottery players, ELP2 has been awarded almost £1.5m over 5 years from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. Using this grant, the ELP2 team will combine its expertise in engaging underreprested youth with experience in outdoor learning and nature connection to deliver this exciting programme!

ELP2 is currently in its third year of delivery, creating a movement of young people who feel empowered to create the change they want to see both in their local communities and on a national level.

A large group of people are stood down an outdoor wooden staircase, and gathered in front of the foot of the stairs. The staircase descends down the side of a brick building. The group is a mixture of men and women from differnt backgrounds, all dressed in warm clothing and smiling at the camera.

©victorialabouchardiere

The National Lottery Community Fund logo

ELP2 is made possible by The National Lottery Community Fund

Find out more

The second cohort of ELP2 are gathered for a group photo, around 30 people are smiling at the camera, stood in front of a brick building, behind a pond with reeds in it.
About us

Our programme

Discover more about the Environmental Leadership Programme and what to expect from your programme journey
A small magnifying glass is held over a piece of paper containing two images of species, with a species identification sheet underneath it.
Our programme

Nature Connection

Learn more about why nature connection is an important part of your environmental leadership journey
Three girls are sat in the sun at a foldable table taking part in a clay modelling nature connection acitivty. One girl with long brown hair and a green beanie is stood offering a high five to a curly bonde haired girl in an orange beanie sat at the table.
Our programme

Leadership

Learn more about how the theme of leadership is explored on the programme
A group of young people are gathered in front of a staff member from Shropshire Wildlife Trusts, who is stood with his back to the camera, the logo of the trust visible on the back of his fleece. There are five young people facing the camera, but out of focus, with their attention focused on the staff member. They are stood in a wooded area, with tall trees with green leaves in bright sunlight.
Get involved

Be a part of the programme

Discover how you can get involved in the Environmental Leadership Programme, either as a participant or by sharing your experience
6 of the staff team from the environmental leadership programme are sat on a bench in the middle of a warehouse, with three members stood behind. They are dressed in casual clothing and smiling at the camera.
About us

Our team

Meet our team and get to know what our roles are on the Environmental Leadership Programme
The front page of the Share, Learn, Improve report from ELP2 year 1. It has a photo of a clay pot with a painted butterfly on it, with some grass in the background. The title reads 'Growing together: lessons and insights from our first year of partnership'
Our programme

Our reports

Read our reports to see what we've learned from delivery the programme