A new forest is to be planted in Luxembourg in honour of the winners of the Youth Climate Prize
The first BNE Awards ceremony, dedicated to environmental initiatives by children and young people, took place in Luxembourg. The event was attended by Serge Vilmes, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, and more than 450 young people who presented projects on sustainable development and the fight against climate change. The awards took place on 8 and 9 June at the Forum Geesseknäppchen and brought together participants aged between 6 and 25.
Over 450 young participants and 37 projects
At the first BNE Awards ceremony, 37 projects developed by 454 children and young people were recognised. These included:
- 13 projects by primary school pupils;
- 24 projects by secondary school pupils.
All the initiatives focused on environmental issues and finding creative ways to raise public awareness of climate change and sustainable development. During the event, Minister Serge Vilmes spoke with participants and discussed with them the challenges of the environmental transition and the role of young people in shaping the country’s future. In his view, education on sustainable development is most effective when it becomes a shared practical experience and a platform for finding new solutions.
Awards and climate-related journeys
The winners received prizes combining learning and practical experience. The prizes included: educational days in the countryside; museum visits; special climate education programmes; a trip to the Klimahaus Bremerhaven centre in Germany, which will take place from 6 to 8 July. The project is being implemented jointly by the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity and the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth of Luxembourg.
A new forest in honour of the participants
One of the main outcomes of the award will be not only the presentation of prizes to the winners, but also the creation of a new woodland. During the ceremony, the minister announced that one tree would be planted for each participant. Consequently, in the winter of 2026, 454 new trees will be planted across an area of approximately 14 hectares in the Hosingen district (Domaine Kiischpelt). The project will be implemented in collaboration with the Luxembourg Nature and Forestry Administration. The new forest is scheduled to open to the public in the summer of 2027. The organisers note that this will not only provide symbolic recognition for the young people’s environmental initiatives but will also leave a tangible mark on the country’s natural heritage.
