Challenge: Biodiversity
Danske Bank has partnered with Young Enterprise to co-develop an innovative new educational programme focusing on biodiversity entrepreneurship.
Challenge: Biodiversity is aimed at post-primary school children in Years 8-14 and showcases innovative local businesses from across the agri-food, infrastructure, manufacturing and tourism sectors. Pupils will learn about why nature and biodiversity is important to the economy, the impact industries can have on biodiversity and gain insights into some of the innovative solutions developed in response by local entrepreneurial businesses.
The programme is being developed in line with the curriculum and relevant for both Geography and Learning for Life and Work subjects.
Programme information
Challenge: Biodiversity consists of 3 x 40min modules for Years 8-14 delivered virtually to classes via the YE Academy Learning Management System. This means just a few clicks every now and then for facilitators. Student materials are available for download. Groups finish the programme with the opportunity to ideate a new scheme, service or product to aid one of five different industries in promoting biodiversity.
Each school will have the chance to submit entries to be judged by industry experts and win a share of £5000 of prizes. Entries must be submitted by 3pm on Friday 30 May 2025.
“There is a real opportunity in the traditional education system to showcase biodiversity entrepreneurship whilst helping to improve understanding of the ‘green’ economy and careers among pupils, at every stage of their school careers.”
Carol Fitzsimons, Chief Executive of Young Enterprise NI
Challenge Biodiversity is available free of charge to all post-primary schools and colleges in Northern Ireland. The programme is hosted on YE Academy. A free account is required for access. Only entries uploaded with the requested information by 3pm on Friday 30 May 2025 will be considered for prizes. Prizes cannot be exchanged and no alternatives are available. The judges’ decision is final. Please contact programmes@yeni.co.uk or your local Young Enterprise representative for further details.
