Young people’s good causes have been awarded grants by the Co-op and the retailer’s Foundation to develop projects aimed at promoting environmental sector careers and tackling climate change.

The money has been awarded through their £2.4m Green Opportunities Fund, which aims to inspire young people to consider green economy careers.

The seven recipients include Oasisplay, London, which helps disadvantaged young people learn electric vehicle mechanical skills and take up other green careers. It will use its go-kart track programme to transform traditional go karts into e-karts.

Another to receive funding is Comics Youth CIC in Merseyside. It will deliver a two-year youth-led comics and digital storytelling programme in partnership with the Environment Agency.

The UK wide Landworkers Alliance, Northern Ireland based Can Grow, Adra Tai Cyfyngedig in Wales, KRIMMZ’s in Bolton and Touch of Love Outreach in Scotland, have also received funding.

The Green Opportunities Fund is funded through donations from the sale of Co-op compostable carrier bags and the Co-op Foundation’s funding.

The Co-op has also partnered with environmental funder MCS Foundation to fund retrofit work for two recipients, Touch of Love Outreach and Adra Tai Cyfyngedig.

“These projects will both help young people in need of support and contribute to the workforce needed for the transition to a low-carbon economy,” said MCS Foundation programmes director Alastair Mumford.

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