Join the Big Biodiversity Challenge 2026 – Call for Schools & Learners

We are excited to invite your school to participate in the Big Biodiversity Challenge 2026, an inspiring initiative aimed at empowering young people to take meaningful action in protecting our planet’s biodiversity.

This challenge is open to Grade 6–9 learners across the Western Cape, encouraging them to identify a biodiversity issue within their school or community and implement a practical, creative, and learner-led solution.

🌱 About the Challenge

Learners are encouraged to:

Identify a real biodiversity issue in their local environment

Develop and implement a creative, realistic solution

Demonstrate real action and measurable impact (not AI-generated ideas)

📌 Submission Formats

Projects can be submitted in a variety of engaging formats, including:

Essay

Video

Eco-friendly app idea

Social action campaign

Brief report

Slideshow presentation

📅 Key Dates

Competition Opens: 22 May 2026

Closing Date: 31 August 2026

🏆 Why Participate?

This challenge provides learners with an opportunity to:

Engage with real-world environmental issues

Build problem-solving and leadership skills

Contribute to biodiversity conservation in their communities

We encourage schools to support and guide learners in developing impactful projects and submitting their entries before the closing date.

📲 Entries can be submitted by scanning the QR code on the attached poster.

🤝 Partners

This initiative is delivered in partnership with leading organisations, including the Western Cape Government, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, CapeNature, SANBI, SANParks, and others, who are committed to promoting environmental education and conservation.

Please share this opportunity with your staff and learners and encourage participation. Together, we can inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

If you require any additional information or support, please do not hesitate to get in touch.