1st Edition of BNE Awards Recognises 37 Youth Climate Change Projects

On Wednesday 10 June 2026, Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity and Ministry of Education, Children and Youth reported on the first edition of the BNE Awards, which took place at the Forum Geesseknäppchen on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 June.

As reported by the ministries, Luxembourg’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, took part in the awards ceremony, which recognised 37 projects led by 454 young people aged six to 25 (thirteen in primary education and 24 in secondary education), all of which focused on raising awareness of climate change through creative initiatives.

During the event, Minister Wilmes spoke with participants about their projects and the challenges of the ecological transition and emphasised: “Education for sustainable development is most meaningful when it is experienced as a shared endeavour. The BNE Awards demonstrate how young people can work together to create a space for ecological innovation and exploration.”

Organised by Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity (MECB) and the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth (MENJE), the BNE Awards support, recognise and amplify young people’s commitment to the ecological transition.

The winners received prizes combining learning and experience, including days in nature or at museums, eight climate-focused activity days and a stay at Klimahaus Bremerhaven from Tuesday 6 to Wednesday 8 July.

The ministries noted that beyond the prizes themselves, the BNE Awards will leave a lasting legacy. During his speech, Minister Wilmes announced that one tree will be planted for each participant — a total of 454 trees — during the winter of 2026 on a 140-acre site in the Hosingen forestry district (Domaine Kiischpelt), in partnership with the Nature and Forestry Administration.

This project will mark the creation of a new forest, which will be open to visitors from summer 2027.