Field Studies Council Youth Panel 2026: Join the UK-Wide Youth Environmental Leadership Panel

Applications are now open for the Field Studies Council Youth Panel 2026, an exciting opportunity for young people in the United Kingdom to contribute their ideas, experiences and perspectives to one of the UK’s leading environmental education charities.

The Youth Panel brings together young people who are passionate about nature, the outdoors and environmental education. Panel members have the opportunity to influence how the Field Studies Council engages with young people, participate in discussions with staff and trustees, develop valuable transferable skills, meet other young naturalists and environmentalists, and contribute to content and projects focused on youth engagement.

Applications opened on 14 September 2026, and eligible young people are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline of 9:00 pm on Sunday, 27 September 2026.

About the Field Studies Council Youth Panel

The Field Studies Council Youth Panel is a UK-wide group of young people that helps shape nature education and youth engagement through strategic insight and feedback.

Youth Panel members play an important role within the Field Studies Council by bringing young people’s perspectives into organisational discussions. Rather than simply participating in environmental activities, members can contribute their views on how young people can be better engaged with nature, outdoor learning and environmental education.

The opportunity is particularly suitable for young people who want to become a stronger voice for their generation while gaining practical experience in communication, decision-making, teamwork and influencing.

The role is voluntary, meaning that successful applicants will not be employed or paid as Youth Panel members. However, the position provides opportunities for personal development, networking, training and involvement in the work of the Field Studies Council.

What Does a Youth Panel Member Do?

Youth Panel members are expected to actively contribute to the Panel and participate in activities that support the Field Studies Council’s youth engagement work.

The Panel provides young people with an opportunity to have their voices heard in discussions concerning the organisation’s provision for young people. Members can provide feedback, share ideas, participate in meetings and contribute to projects based on their interests and skills.

The Field Studies Council describes its Youth Panel members as key members of the organisation who can engage in high-level discussions about its provision for young people.

This makes the opportunity particularly valuable for young people interested in:

• Environmental education
• Nature and conservation
• Youth engagement
• Environmental leadership
• Communication and content creation
• Decision-making
• Advocacy and representation
• Biodiversity
• Outdoor learning
• Community engagement
• Developing leadership and teamwork skills

Key Benefits of Joining the Youth Panel

Being selected for the Field Studies Council Youth Panel can provide a combination of environmental, leadership, communication and personal-development experiences.

1. Participate in a Funded Residential Weekend

Youth Panel members will have the opportunity to attend a funded residential weekend at a Field Studies Council field centre in the UK.

For the 2026 intake, the residential weekend is scheduled to take place from Friday 6 November to Sunday 8 November 2026 at Preston Montford, Shropshire. The costs associated with the residential are covered.

This residential experience provides an opportunity for members to meet other participants in person and take part in Youth Panel activities.

2. Access Training Opportunities

Youth Panel members can participate in training opportunities during their time on the Panel.

These include heavily subsidised Biodiversity Courses, which may be offered online and in person. Such opportunities can help young people expand their understanding of biodiversity and develop knowledge that complements their interest in nature and the environment.

3. Network With Other Young Environmentalists

The Youth Panel provides an opportunity to meet other young people who are passionate about nature.

Throughout their term, members will have opportunities to connect with other young naturalists and environmentalists. This can create opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and building relationships with peers who share similar interests.

4. Develop Transferable Skills

One of the important benefits of the Youth Panel is the opportunity to develop practical skills that can be useful beyond environmental activities.

The Field Studies Council specifically identifies skills such as:

• Meeting skills
• Decision-making
• Influencing
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Participation in organisational discussions

These experiences can be valuable for young people who are considering future education, volunteering, employment or leadership opportunities.

5. Create Content for Social Media and Blogs

Youth Panel members can also contribute to communications activities.

Members may have opportunities to create content for social media and blogs that can be shared through Field Studies Council channels as well as through their own channels.

This element of the role may be particularly useful for young people interested in digital communication, journalism, social media, content creation, environmental storytelling or public engagement.

6. Represent Young People in Decision-Making

Youth Panel members can represent young people’s perspectives in decision-making meetings involving Field Studies Council staff and trustees.

They may also have opportunities to represent the Field Studies Council at events or conferences.

This provides participants with exposure to organisational decision-making and gives them an opportunity to contribute directly to conversations concerning young people and environmental education.

Duration of the Youth Panel Role

Members recruited during autumn 2026 are expected to serve on the Youth Panel for two years.

The role is voluntary, and successful applicants will therefore need to be prepared to make a sustained commitment to the Panel throughout this period.

A two-year commitment can allow members to build meaningful experience over time rather than participating in a one-off activity. It also gives participants the opportunity to develop their skills and contribute to projects throughout their period of service.

Meetings and Time Commitment

Youth Panel members participate in both online and in-person activities.

The Panel holds an in-person residential once a year at a Field Studies Council centre. For the 2026 cohort, the annual residential is scheduled for 6–8 November 2026 at Preston Montford. Applicants are expected to confirm their availability for this date.

In addition, monthly online meetings are held. These meetings alternate between weekday evenings and generally take place on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm.

The Field Studies Council recognises that young people may require greater flexibility at certain times of the year.

Youth Panel members are expected to attend a minimum of four meetings per year and contribute to associated tasks and projects.

This means applicants should consider their existing commitments, including school and other activities, before applying.

Who Can Apply for the Field Studies Council Youth Panel 2026?

The opportunity is open to young people who meet the specific requirements set by the Field Studies Council.

Applicants must:

• Be aged between 16 and 18 at the time of applying.
• Be based in the United Kingdom.
• Be able to attend the in-person Youth Panel residential from Friday 6 November to Sunday 8 November 2026 at Preston Montford, Shropshire.
• Be able to commit approximately a couple of hours per month to meetings and related tasks.

The Field Studies Council states that it welcomes applications from young people regardless of their experience or background.

It also indicates that it is particularly interested in representatives from Scotland and Wales, while the Youth Panel itself is UK-wide.

Country and Continent Eligibility

The opportunity is restricted geographically to young people based in the United Kingdom.

Therefore, applicants from the following UK nations can potentially apply, provided they meet the other requirements:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

The source specifically highlights Scotland and Wales as areas from which the Field Studies Council is especially keen to receive representation.

The eligible continent is Europe, but the actual eligibility requirement is more specific: applicants must be based in the UK. The opportunity is not presented as open to applicants from Europe generally.

No Previous Experience Is Required

An important feature of the opportunity is that applicants do not need to demonstrate extensive previous experience.

The Field Studies Council welcomes applications from young people regardless of their experience or background.

This means applicants should not assume that they need an extensive environmental, conservation or leadership record to be considered. Instead, they should use their application to explain who they are, what motivates them, what they hope to learn and what they can contribute to the Panel.

What Is Required in the Application?

The application consists of three main questions designed to help the Field Studies Council understand applicants, their motivations and the contribution they could make to youth engagement.

Question 1: Tell Us About Yourself and Your Motivation

Applicants are asked to explain something about themselves, their experiences and what motivates them to join the Field Studies Council Youth Panel.

The maximum response length is 200 words.

Applicants may consider discussing:

• Their connection with the outdoors
• Previous volunteering roles
• Areas they would like to become involved in
• Their motivation for representing young people
• Their interest in the Field Studies Council

The organisation is looking for insight into the applicant as an individual and an understanding of why they want to become part of the Youth Panel.

Question 2: What Do You Hope to Learn?

The second question asks applicants to explain what they hope to learn from participating in the role.

The maximum response length is 200 words.

Applicants can consider discussing:

• Skills they want to develop
• What excites them about joining the Youth Panel
• How the opportunity could support their future
• Personal or professional development goals

This is an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate that they have thought about how Youth Panel participation could contribute to their growth.

Question 3: What Can You Bring to the Panel?

The third question asks applicants what they could contribute to the Panel and what they hope to achieve as a Panel member.

The maximum response length is 300 words.

Applicants can discuss:

• Particular skills they possess
• Relevant experiences
• What distinguishes them from other applicants
• Ideas they could contribute
• Their goals as a Youth Panel member
• How they would balance Panel responsibilities with school and other commitments

This question is particularly important because it allows applicants to demonstrate both their potential contribution and their understanding of the responsibilities involved in joining the Panel.

Application Tips

The Field Studies Council recommends preparing responses in Microsoft Word or Google Docs before copying and pasting them into the online application form.

This approach can make it easier for applicants to draft, edit and review their answers before submitting the application.

Applicants should ensure that their responses directly answer each question while remaining within the specified word limits.

Young people should also consider demonstrating genuine motivation rather than simply listing achievements. Since the Field Studies Council welcomes applicants regardless of their experience or background, applicants can focus on their interests, perspectives, aspirations and willingness to contribute.

Alternative Application Format for Applicants Who Find Online Forms Difficult

The Field Studies Council provides an alternative way to respond to the application questions.

Applicants who find completing online forms difficult and would prefer to talk through their answers can record their responses in video or audio format.

Each question can be answered in a recording of up to three minutes.

Applicants choosing this option are instructed to email their files to youth.engagement@field-studies-council.org.

This provides an alternative route for young people who may communicate their ideas more effectively through spoken responses.

Application and Selection Timeline

The Field Studies Council has provided a clear application and selection timeline for the 2026 Youth Panel recruitment.

Applications Open

Applications open at midday on 14 September 2026.

Application Deadline

Applications close at 9:00 pm on Sunday, 27 September 2026.

Applicants should ensure that their application is submitted before the deadline rather than waiting until the final minutes.

APPLY HERE

Application Outcome

Applicants will hear about the outcome of their application at the start of October 2026.

Virtual Interviews

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a short virtual interview taking place on 13 or 14 October 2026.

The Field Studies Council indicates that there is flexibility for alternative arrangements. The interview is intended to allow the organisation to get to know shortlisted candidates and also give candidates the opportunity to ask questions of a current Youth Panel member.

Importantly, interview questions can be shared with candidates in advance.

Residential Weekend

Successful applicants need to be available for the Youth Panel residential from Friday 6 November to Sunday 8 November 2026 at Preston Montford in Shropshire.

The costs of the residential are covered.

What Makes This Opportunity Valuable?

The Field Studies Council Youth Panel provides young people with a combination of environmental engagement, youth representation and personal development.

Rather than simply attending an environmental programme, participants can become part of a group that contributes to the organisation’s approach to youth engagement.

Members can gain insight into the workings of an environmental education charity while participating in high-level discussions concerning provision for young people.

The opportunity can therefore be particularly valuable for young people who are considering future interests or careers related to:

• Environmental science
• Conservation
• Biodiversity
• Environmental education
• Sustainability
• Communications
• Media and content creation
• Youth development
• Advocacy
• Leadership
• Public engagement
• Community development

A Platform for Youth Voice and Representation

One of the central aspects of the Youth Panel is representation.

Young people have the opportunity to provide perspectives on issues affecting youth engagement and contribute to organisational discussions. Members can represent young people at meetings involving Field Studies Council staff and trustees and may also represent the organisation at events and conferences.

This creates an opportunity for participants to practise expressing ideas, listening to different perspectives, contributing constructively to discussions and communicating the interests of young people.

Opportunities to Develop Through the Role

The Field Studies Council notes that the Youth Panel is shaped by its members and that there will be opportunities to expand skills and experiences according to individual areas of interest.

This means that the experience does not necessarily have to be limited to one particular area. Members may be able to explore interests connected to environmental education, communication, biodiversity, youth engagement, content creation, decision-making and other areas relevant to the Panel’s activities.

The combination of regular online meetings, annual residential activities, training opportunities and projects can provide a sustained environment for learning and participation.

Important Commitment to Consider Before Applying

Although the Youth Panel offers numerous development opportunities, applicants should understand that it is a two-year voluntary commitment.

Successful applicants are expected to contribute time each month and attend at least four meetings per year, in addition to associated tasks and projects.

They must also be able to attend the annual residential and participate in monthly online meetings.

Young people should therefore consider their school schedules, extracurricular activities and other responsibilities before applying. The Field Studies Council acknowledges that participants may sometimes require flexibility during particularly busy periods.

How to Apply for the Field Studies Council Youth Panel 2026

Eligible young people can apply through the official Field Studies Council application process.

The application form is available through the Field Studies Council’s Youth Panel application page, and applications opened on 14 September 2026.

Applicants should prepare thoughtful responses to all three questions and make sure their answers remain within the required word limits.

Those who have difficulty completing the online form can instead submit video or audio responses of up to three minutes per question by email to the Youth Engagement team.

Application deadline: 9:00 pm, Sunday, 27 September 2026.

Visit HERE for more information about the Field Studies Council Youth Panel 2026.

Key Details at a Glance

Detail	Information
Opportunity	Field Studies Council Youth Panel 2026
Organiser	Field Studies Council
Role type	Voluntary Youth Panel membership
Duration	Two years
Eligible age	16–18 at the time of applying
Location eligibility	United Kingdom
Applications open	14 September 2026
Deadline	9:00 pm, 27 September 2026
Application outcome	Start of October 2026
Virtual interviews	13 or 14 October 2026
Residential	6–8 November 2026
Residential location	Preston Montford, Shropshire
Residential costs	Covered
Monthly meetings	Weekday evenings, generally Monday, Wednesday or Thursday, 6:00–7:15 pm
Minimum meetings	Four per year
Training	Includes heavily subsidised Biodiversity Courses
Application responses	Three questions
Alternative format	Video or audio, up to three minutes per question

The details above are based on the Field Studies Council’s 2026 Youth Panel application information.

Conclusion

The Field Studies Council Youth Panel 2026 offers young people in the United Kingdom an opportunity to play an active role in shaping youth engagement and nature education while developing valuable skills and experiences.

Successful members will be able to contribute their perspectives to discussions with Field Studies Council staff and trustees, connect with other young naturalists and environmentalists, participate in training opportunities, develop transferable skills, create social media and blog content, and potentially represent young people and the Field Studies Council at events and conferences.

The opportunity is open to young people aged 16 to 18 who are based in the UK, and applicants do not need to have extensive previous experience. However, they must be able to make the required commitment, including monthly meetings, associated tasks and the annual residential.

Applications opened on 14 September 2026, with the final deadline set for 9:00 pm on Sunday, 27 September 2026. Young people interested in nature, environmental education, youth representation, communication, leadership and conservation should consider preparing their applications early and using the application questions to clearly communicate their motivation, learning goals and potential contribution to the Panel.

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