Here, we learn a little more about the organisations shortlisted for this year's award.

Eastern Education Group

Eastern Education Group (EEG) runs a number of schools and further education establishments across the East of England.

It integrates sustainability across education, engagement and community collaboration, using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework.

From A Levels and vocational training to apprenticeship and access courses, students explore real-world sustainability through live projects such as eco-building workshops, biodiversity initiatives and zero-waste events.

Campus-wide campaigns – including ‘think before you print’, reusable cup discounts and zero waste events – promote responsible consumption and behavioural change, often led by an active network of sustainability ambassadors.

The judges said: “Importantly, EEG demonstrates action rather than aspiration, with clear evidence of environmental impact alongside education and skills development.”

Groundwork East creates programmes that give communities the tools to tackle environmental challenges (Image: Groundwork East)

Groundwork East is an environmental charity working across the East of England to create a fair and green future in which people, places and nature thrive.

It creates programmes that give communities the tools to take the lead and support collective action to tackle environmental challenges.

The charity runs programmes at community hubs including gardens, allotments and centres that bring different groups together, teach valuable life skills, build social connections and boost wellbeing.

It also delivers projects aimed at saving energy and water, reducing waste and cutting the number of households in fuel poverty, as well as offering training in carbon and water literacy.

The judges said: “Groundwork East was selected as a finalist for its people-centred Climate Champions programme, which works closely with end users to build confident, proactive responses to climate change.”

Climate Education enables schools to take on their climate action journey (Image: PECT)

PECT – Climate Education

Climate Education is a comprehensive, one-stop ‘green hub’ from Peterborough-based environmental charity PECT, enabling schools to take on their climate action journey.

The project was developed in response to the Department for Education’s sustainability and climate change strategy, which required all schools to appoint sustainability leads and develop Climate Action Plans by September 2025.

The web-based platform provides ready-to use materials for teachers, highlights funding opportunities and empowers students to get hands-on with meaningful change that is important to them.

Using an interactive climate action planning tool, schools can co-ordinate their climate pledges, contributing to individual, local and national carbon reduction ambitions.

The judges said PECT had delivered “a highly accessible, user-centred approach to climate action in schools”.

They added: “By making climate action manageable and inclusive for all roles within a school, PECT enables meaningful, measurable progress while building confidence and long-term commitment.”

For more information about the East Anglia Clean & Green Awards, or to buy tickets for the awards ceremony in Ipswich on March 26, please visit cleanandgreenawards.co.uk

To find out more about the other finalists, please click here.

© Eastern Daily Press