In September 2025, Bell Baxter High School pupils played a leading role in delivering Fife’s first Youth Climate Festival, held at Rothes Halls in Glenrothes.

The event brought together more than 170 young people from across Fife to explore climate action, sustainability and future career opportunities in the green economy. Delivered through Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) partnerships, the festival connected young people with over 40 employers, education providers and environmental organisations, supporting inclusive economic growth while addressing the climate emergency.

The festival was delivered in collaboration with a wide range of partners, including SP Energy Networks, SEPA, the University of St Andrews, Forestry and Land Scotland, Fife College and a number of third sector organisations.

This partnership approach created a dynamic and interactive programme, giving young people direct access to employers and industry insight.

Through workshops on topics such as climate justice, renewable energy and sustainability, participants were able to deepen their understanding of key issues while exploring pathways into further learning, training and employment.

A particular highlight of the event was the leadership role taken by Bell Baxter High School pupils. The school’s Global Goals Captains, alongside 25 other young people, supported event delivery, led activities and delivered keynote speeches.

This provided a valuable opportunity to develop confidence, communication and teamwork skills in a real-world setting, while demonstrating the impact of youth-led approaches in shaping regional activity. Their involvement helped create a strong sense of ownership and peer engagement throughout the festival.

The impact of the event was both immediate and meaningful. Young people reported increased confidence, improved public speaking skills and a stronger sense of shared purpose with peers from across Fife.

One senior pupil highlighted that the experience had influenced their future ambitions, helping them to explore potential careers in conservation and research.

More broadly, the festival increased awareness of opportunities within the green economy and strengthened links between education and employers.

In total, over 170 young people engaged in the festival, with more than 40 partners contributing to delivery and 25 young people taking on leadership roles. These outcomes demonstrate the scale of engagement and the effectiveness of collaborative working in delivering opportunities that align with emerging economic priorities.

The project directly supports the Plan for Fife priorities of addressing the climate emergency and contributes to ambitions around improving economic activity and employment, as well as reducing carbon emissions.

By equipping young people with knowledge, skills and connections linked to net zero sectors, the festival supports positive destinations and helps build a future workforce ready to contribute to a more sustainable economy.

Overall, the Youth Climate Festival highlights the value of youth-led, partnership-based approaches in delivering meaningful outcomes. It not only increased awareness of climate issues and green careers, but also empowered young people to see themselves as active contributors to a more sustainable and inclusive future for Fife.