Young people can win a share of a £20,000 prize pot for projects tackling climate change.

The Woodland Trust, the UK's largest woodland conservation charity, has opened applications for its annual youth innovation competition.

Now in its third year, the contest offers young people the chance to launch their environmental projects with funding and mentorship.

Previous winners include a clothes upcycling workshop, a campaign to protect ancient trees, and exhibitions of wildlife photography.

Six individuals or small groups, aged between 16 and 25, will each win up to £6,000 in project funding and receive mentorship from industry experts.

The aim is to help these young innovators deliver projects that address the climate crisis.

Moiz Siddiqi, a previous winner, said that winning the Woodland Trust's competition was "genuinely life-changing."

The competition helped him launch his business, Me-eco, which is a 'mindfulness-based' seeded paper product.

Mr Siddiqi said: "It’s that first major step in taking a risk with an idea and working to bring it to life, except with this risk, you’re supported and backed by the Woodland Trust, their youth team, and amazing mentors.

"It allowed Project Me-Eco to develop from a basic concept to a fully-fledged start-up business with the foundation it needed.

"It helped us in understanding what we needed for our next steps, what worked and what didn’t, all in a supported space."

The top 18 applications will be invited to take part in workshops that will teach them how to pitch their project idea.

The finalists will then present their environmental innovations to a panel of celebrity judges and experts.

Grace Howourth, head of youth reimagined at the Woodland Trust, said: "We need more young people to become advocates for woods and trees and we are excited to be able to open this opportunity again to help fund important projects which will directly address the climate and nature crisis.

"You don’t have to be from an experienced environmental or conservation background or have academic qualifications to enter, as we are looking for people from all backgrounds and walks of life to enter with a great idea that can impact woods, wildlife and people."

Applications are now open and will close on Monday, January 20, 2025.

For more information on how to apply, visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk or email youth@woodlandtrust.org.uk.