Grow Wild, led by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and supported by the Big Lottery Fund, is kicking off a UK-wide search to find the most exciting plans for transforming a space with native plants wild flowers and plants.
The successful applicants will receive the funding and support to produce visual artwork, music or spoken word that conveys the importance of native wild flowers and wild spaces, or to sow, grow and enjoy wild flowers in a communal space.
The "Get Creative" award is open under two age categories: under-18s (12 to 17) and over-18s (18 to 25). Winning applicants will get the chance to exhibit their artwork or perform their audio piece outdoors at a high profile UK summer event.
Chris Thomson, youth engagement worker of the My Space project at Muirhouse Youth Development Group in Edinburgh, one of Grow Wild's 2015 youth projects, said: "The funding from Grow Wild has allowed us to move forward with creating a garden space, which is injecting much needed colour and beauty to the area.
"We hope it will offer a calm and positive environment for people in Muirhouse and the surrounding area to visit and enjoy this summer, and for years to come.
"It is fantastic to see that so many local groups and members of the community showing an interest in this project and eager to play a part in its development. We are hoping it quickly becomes a focal point of the community, offering youngsters the chance to learn a range of new skills that they can use later in life."
There is an additional "Transform a Space" award, which provides an opportunity for young people who want to work together to transform a local space using native plants and wild flowers. The project can involve more than sowing and growing, as long as it communicates a message about UK native wild flowers and wild spaces in a creative way. It can involve using different containers for growing, arts and crafts or events and activities as well.
A panel of young people will be judging all entries from across the UK. Grow Wild is working together with the British Youth Council, Youth Cymru, Northern Ireland Youth Forum and Scottish Youth Parliament.
The deadline for entries for Get Creative is 25 January 2016 and the deadline for Transform a Space is 22 February 2016.
Grow Wild will provide support throughout the process, from discussing ideas with potential applicants, through to making things happen.
For more information see the Grow Wild website.
