Student Leadership for Change

Program & Host Organization

Student Leadership for Change (SLC) is delivered by Be the Change Earth Alliance, a not-for-profit organization focused on ecosocial education. The program provides youth with structured learning resources that build climate literacy, emotional resilience, and skills for meaningful environmental action.

Location & Scope

Based in Canada, the program operates primarily across British Columbia, with materials available online to schools province-wide. Over 15 years, it has reached most BC school districts and continues to expand through both digital and in-class delivery.

Who It Serves

SLC serves racially, economically, culturally, and gender diverse youth aged 10-18, as well as educators who implement the curriculum. It also supports professional groups such as teachers who seek tools for ecosocial learning.

Climate & Mental Health Focus

The program addresses eco-anxiety, climate despair, and emotional distress linked to biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change. It emphasizes belonging, nature connection, and values-based learning as pathways to resilience and agency for young people.

Activities & Format

Activities are delivered in a hybrid format, primarily in classrooms using free online resources. Students complete self-paced Action Packs within selected modules, engage in small-group dialogue, conduct research, and present findings to peers. Teachers may lead the program independently or receive weekly in-class support from trained facilitators. Sessions typically last 1.5 hours and may span one or multiple classes.

Inclusion & Accessibility

The program is designed to reduce economic and educational barriers. Resources are free, written in accessible language, and include glossaries and multi-level materials suitable for English language learners, newcomers, and students with disabilities.

Outcomes & Evidence

SLC aims to strengthen youths’ ability to navigate climate emotions, take meaningful action, and develop reflective dialogue skills. Longer-term goals include improved youth mental health, increased resilience, and broader uptake of the program. Evaluation includes website analytics, feedback surveys, consultations, and ongoing updates. The approach is grounded in research on eco-anxiety, social-emotional learning, community belonging, and nature-based education.

Guiding Principles

The initiative aligns with principles of climate literacy, emotional processing, optimism, social connection, nature bonding, emotional resilience, climate justice, community-led action, and collective responsibility.

Resources & Sustainability

The program operates with an annual budget of $113,000, supporting partial staffing, technology, materials, and venue costs. It is grant-funded through 2025 and seeks additional sponsorship.

Team & Partners

SLC is led by educators and Be the Change Earth Alliance staff. Trained facilitators also support teachers by modeling ecosocial education practices directly in classrooms.

Challenges & Context

The program depends on school and district support. Limited funding restricts updates, staff capacity, and technological improvements.