German National Environment Competition

The German National Environment Competition targets young people in the 13 to 21 age group. It wants them to take a critical look at environmental problems, in theory and in practice.

Who can participate?

The competition is open to everyone aged between 13 and 21 with an interest in the environment. This includes young people and young adults at all general and vocational schools, trainees, people performing military or civilian service, people performing a Voluntary Ecological Year, youth groups and young students in higher education.

The German National Environment Competition is held in two parts according to age group: BUW I for 13 to 16 year olds and BUW II for 17 to 21 year olds. Contributions to BUW I may be made by individuals or groups of up to 20 persons; to BUW II by individuals and teams of up to 6 persons.

What tasks have to be performed?

Participants in the German National Environment Competition are expected to investigate an environmental problem which they have selected themselves in their own environment, demonstrate environmental relationships and develop and implement solutions. Important factors are the interplay between knowledge and sustainable action, theory and practice, planning and reality. Entries may focus on an issue which is relevant for all areas of environmental protection and environmental education, depending on the problem involved and the solution adopted. These areas include inter alia conservation and ecology, technology, economics and consumption, politics, health and culture.

How is the contest conducted?

Participants must submit a written piece of work by 15 March of the respective year. As a first step, two to three experts evaluate each entry in a selection process. In a second step, entries which are proposed for main prizes are presented to the entire jury within the framework of individual colloquia at a jury meeting (usually in June). The members of the jury discuss the evaluations of all the individual entries and decide on the prize categories. Prizes are awarded in the autumn.

What prizes and awards do participants receive?

Prizes include cash, travel, material prizes and certificates. Suitable prize winners can also be recommended for further measures for the particularly gifted.

What are the next steps at international level?

Each year, two outstanding prize winners or project teams in the German National Environment Competition take part in the International Environmental Project Olympiad (INEPO) in Istanbul.

Contact:

Geschäftsstelle des BundesUmweltWettbewerbs am
Leibniz-Institut für die Pädagogik der Naturwissenschaften an der Universität Kiel (IPN)
Olshausenstr. 62
24098 Kiel
Tel.: +49 (0) 431 /549700
Fax: +49 (0) 431/880-3142
E-Mail: buw@ipn.uni-kiel.de
Internet