As a member of the Youth Environment Council (YEC), you are representing your school and your local area. The YEC
is an opportunity for you to follow a passion or interest and to create positive change within your school, local area
and the broader environment. Throughout the year, YEC members are asked to create and develop a project. The
project can take many forms and we encourage you to be creative and imaginative in your approach.

Perhaps you’ve always enjoyed videography. You might like using your hands to invent a solution to a sustainability
problem. You may like to collaborate with a community group to address a local issue. Maybe you’re interested in
investigating a global issue and exploring ways you can help to address this problem or raise money for a cause.

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions from members about the YEC project.

What is the YEC project?
The YEC project is a venture that YEC members undertake throughout the year. They are introduced to the concept
of the project at the Welcome Forum and asked to think about developing a project. At the Leadership Camp, they
are guided through activities that deepen their knowledge of the project and investigate potential projects and
people within their circle of influence who can help them to achieve their project goals.

YEC members decide for themselves what project they are interested in pursuing. The project can take many
different forms and can cover any aspect of sustainability. They are encouraged to direct their own learning and
follow their passions. A focus of the YEC project is to encourage them to take action in their community. We want
YEC students to think about what influence they can have within their home, school or community and to take action
to create or improve something they see as important.

What are some examples of projects from previous YEC students?
Every year YEC students create projects across a range of environmental and social sustainability themes. It is up to
them to decide what they’d like their project to be. Below are some examples of general topics that YEC members
have covered in the past:

• working with community groups to remove weeds from a local park
• creating a food garden in a school
• establishing a youth environment group at a school
• working with a teacher to design and present lessons to a class
• raising money for an environmental cause
• creating tools that can be used to reduce waste (beeswax wraps, better bins systems, 10 cent recycling)
• designing a new invention to solve an environmental problem.

If you’d like to see what other students have done in the past, there are case studies of specific projects on the case
studies section of our website.

I don’t know what my project should focus on. Where do I start?
Think about why you applied for the YEC. What was it that made you want to join? Is there something that you are
particularly interested in and want to find out more about? This may be a good starting point. What is it about the
environment or world that you’d like to change or know more about?

If you are unsure about what to study, you can:

• speak to other YEC students
• read some case studies, to find out what others have done
• speak to your teacher about any sustainability issues in your school
• ring your local council and ask about some of the environmental issues in your area
• email or call your Education Officer - we are here to help!
   
  Can I get help from others?
  Yes. We encourage all members to use the skills and knowledge of their community to help with the project. Solving
  an issue alone can be difficult. It is much easier when you have the support of others. Successful YEC projects are
  often the work of a whole class, teachers, families, friends or community groups. You can simply be the person to
  start and drive a project. Some projects take time and won’t finish within a year.
  
  What makes a successful project?
  We see the YEC project as a way that you can make a difference to the world and your community. The most
  impressive projects are those in which the YEC member goes beyond studying a topic and decides to develop a
  project that helps to improve an environmental or social issue. Studying or researching a topic is great but it is the
  projects where the YEC members have taken action that are the most impressive. These projects are inspiring as
  they show creativity, personal drive, courage and dedication to complete a project.
  
  A successful project may:
• be ongoing
• encourage others to join your project group
• create a new space
• raise awareness of your project topic
• inspire others.

You may like to think about how you will present information to others at the YEC Celebration forum. For more
information about presenting your project, please see the Celebration Forum FAQ document.