£2,000 For Eco–Schools Up For Grabs in Scotland

Eco-conscious primary pupils have the chance to scoop £2,000 for their school by showing how they are helping to save the planet. The competition, run by the Scottish Executive in partnership with ScottishPower, will reward projects which raise awareness of the environment and show pupils how they are affecting the world around them.

Environment Minister Ross Finnie said: "Everyone can take steps to reduce their use of natural resources and their impact in the planet. Schools are already teaching pupils how that can be done through innovative projects up and down Scotland.

"This competition will reward the best projects which involve children and really make them think about the world around them. "The competition says to primary pupils, their parents and teachers - it's our future - and I'd encourage as many schools as possible to enter."

Alison McKean, Head of Environment at ScottishPower said: "We are excited to be supporting this competition. ScottishPower is committed to a future where energy efficiency and renewable energy plays an important part in the long-term prosperity of the whole planet. "Eventually the talent and ingenuity for this will lie with our young people, so it will be fascinating and refreshing to see - through this competition - the wealth of ability and awareness in our schools. I would like to wish all the entrants the best of luck - enjoy the competition."

Pupils and teachers are being invited to submit entries of existing projects, ranging from energy saving campaigns and recycling schemes to local wildlife conservation and organic garden schemes. Projects will be assessed within one of five different categories: energy ; waste ; transport ; biodiversity and food. In total there is £20,000 on offer to primary schools. The winning schools in each category will win a £2,000 prize with two runners up receiving £1,000 each.

The prize money must be used to develop new or existing environmental projects.

Entries will be judged by a panel including representatives from ScottishPower, Eco Schools Scotland, Learning and Teaching Scotland and WWF Scotland. Judges will be looking for evidence of pupils being involved in both the projects and the application process. The schools competition has been developed in conjunction with Eco Schools Scotland, Learning and Teaching Scotland, and WWF Scotland. The competition coincides with the roll-out of the new Schools' Global Footprint tool, which helps pupils calculate the amount of resources they and their school use compared with what is available in the world.

For more information, visit www.ltscotland.org.uk/sustainabledevelopment/schoolsglobalfootprint

Application forms and promotional posters will be posted out to all primary schools across Scotland. The deadline for entries is Friday 22nd December and winning schools will be notified of their success in February 2007.