Jena Children & Youth Environmental Prize 2026 awarded
Under the motto "Climate-friendly? Can we!" , the Children & Youth Environmental Award 2026 was presented on Saturday as part of the Environment Day // Your Day in Paradise. Dirk Lange, Head of the Department of Urban Development and Environment, and André Sack, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Energie Jena-Pößneck GmbH, presented the awards to committed daycare centers and youth groups whose projects show how climate protection works in a very practical way on their own doorstep.
"Children and young people experience their environment with keen eyes. With their creative ideas, they show us what is possible even with simple means. I am particularly impressed by the initiative and team spirit with which the young people put climate protection into practice and with a lot of heart," emphasizes Dirk Lange, Head of Department.
André Sack, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Energie Jena-Pößneck: "Year after year, young people from Jena show how much responsibility and creative drive they have at the Children's and Youth Environmental Award. Their creative projects impress and inspire. They make our city a better place to live and send a strong signal for a sustainable future. We are happy to support this commitment with full conviction."
A total of nine applications were received. Four projects were awarded cash prizes, while five other institutions received recognition in the form of a voucher from Gärtnerei Talstein. The prize money totaling 2,500 euros was donated by Stadtwerke Energie Jena-Pößneck GmbH and the city of Jena.
The 2025 prize winners
1st prize: Blackbirds youth choir
The first prize of 1,000 euros went to the Blackbirds youth choir. The approximately 80 young singers aged between 11 and 19 combine their musical work with themes such as sustainability, closeness to nature and climate protection. These are reflected in their choice of songs, among other things. The choir also organizes forest education activities and is planning a choir festival in Jena Forest this summer to raise funds for the planting of 1,000 trees. The jury particularly praised the unusual combination of music and environmental education as well as the high level of initiative shown.
2nd prize: environmental group "The Green Nature Crew"
The environmental group "The Green Nature Crew" was awarded second prize and 600 euros. The three pupils Frieda Zedler, Emilia Hallensleben and Fritzi Spieß founded their own environmental group in 2024 and have been regularly implementing projects ever since - including flea market campaigns, upcycling offers and a self-organized environmental day with a play. They donated the proceeds to nature conservation organizations. The jury particularly emphasized the extraordinary commitment and role model effect of the young initiators.
3rd prize: Kita Sternschnuppe & Freier Kindergarten Jena e.V.
The Freie Kindergarten Jena e.V. and the Kita Sternschnuppe each received a third prize and 450 euros each.
The Freie Kindergarten Jena e.V. impressed with its project "Small hands, big change". The focus is on climate-friendly nutrition, regional products and the active participation of children in sowing, harvesting and preparing food. The jury particularly praised the successful link to the goals of the city of Jena's climate action plan and the early teaching of sustainable lifestyles.
The Sternschnuppe daycare center was honored for its project "We love the earth - we protect the climate". The facility has been working intensively on climate-friendly everyday activities for several years. The projects include growing regional food, theater and hands-on activities, a radio show on the topic of climate and creative activities to protect the soil and natural resources. The jury praised the many years of commitment and the great diversity of the projects.
Recognitions
Five facilities received recognition in the form of a 50 euro voucher from the Talstein nursery:
- Kita Abenteuerland
- Kita Himmelszelt
- Dornröschen daycare center
- Kindergarten Kinderland
- Kindergarten Kinderbude
Projects on climate protection in everyday life, sustainable use of resources, insect protection, book swaps and nature-oriented garden design were among the award winners.
With these awards, the city of Jena recognizes the commitment of educational professionals to early childhood environmental education and the strengthening of children's environmental awareness.
The Jena Children & Youth Environmental Award
The environmental prize, endowed with a total of 2,500 euros, has been awarded by the city of Jena since 1998 and has been specifically advertised as the Children & Youth Environmental Prize since 2018 - each year with a new thematic focus. The prize is jointly financed by the city of Jena and Stadtwerke Energie Jena-Pößneck GmbH. The aim is to strengthen the environmental awareness of children and young people and to recognize their commitment to a sustainable city.