My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
Yes
I am 18 years of age or above, by the application deadline.
Yes
My organisation is a registered UK entity and has a London-based address.
Yes
My organisation is a non-profit (e.g. school, university, or local authority) — not a for-profit, which can only join as a partner.
Yes
If there is a for-profit organisation as a partner in my initiative, they work on a cost-recovery basis only.
Yes
My solution is implemented at scale, or if not, I have a clear business plan, a minimum viable solution (prototype, pilot, or proof of concept), and evidence of work or impact in London within your coalition.
Yes
I am aware that, if I am submitting more than one application to a Challenge run by Ashoka and Go! London, only one of them is able to progress through the stages.
Yes
Are you an employee (and their children and grandchildren) of Ashoka or any of its respective affiliates and participating advertising and promotion agencies?
No
I have read and accepted the Challenge Terms & Conditions
1
First Name
Last Name
Pronouns
Email address
I would like to receive notifications and updates about Go London!, Ashoka, Ashoka Changemakers, and other Ashoka opportunities.
Are you an Ashoka Fellow?
Are you applying from an organization founded by an Ashoka Fellow?
If you are applying from an organization founded by an Ashoka Fellow, please specify the name and organisation of the fellow below.
Initiative Title
Run for the Planet: The Noah Youth Climate Running Collective
Lead Organization Name
Laura I. Art Gallery CIC
My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
1
Year that you started/ registered your organisation
2020
Website URL(s) or Social Media Handles
https://lauraiartgallery.com/
Initiative Stage
Idea (You have a solid concept and are hoping to get started in the future)
Sectors/Themes: What topic does your project most directly relate to?
Environment & Sustainability
Initiative Summary: Describe your initiative in one sentence
A year-long weekend youth running programme across Barking & Dagenham that combines physical activity, climate education, and youth leadership to inspire sustainable lifestyles through the power of sport.
Challenge Focus: What topic does your initiative most directly relate to?
Climate action through awareness and engagement
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve and who will benefit the most from your solution? How close are you to the problem and/or community impacted?
Young people in Barking & Dagenham face significant health inequalities that reduce their opportunities for long-term wellbeing and active lifestyles. Recent data show that rates of overweight and obesity among children in the borough are higher than the London average, with 46 % of Year 6 children (aged 10–11) being overweight or obese, compared with 39 % across London — a clear indicator of a local physical activity and health challenge that urgently needs creative, sustainable solutions. National health data also highlight that London boroughs — especially in the east — consistently have some of the highest rates of childhood obesity, with Barking & Dagenham appearing among the areas with elevated levels of excess weight compared to other parts of the city. This trend has serious implications: excess weight in childhood is strongly associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health challenges later in life, particularly in deprived communities where access to safe outdoor activity, nutritious food, and sustained physical engagement can be limited. Compounding this, Barking & Dagenham experiences challenges related to environmental management: historically, households in the borough have produced some of the highest levels of residual waste per household in London, with almost 90,000 tonnes of waste collected locally in a single year.
Your approach: How are you addressing the problem outlined above? How are you using the power of sport and physical activity to build awareness, shift behavior, and enable sustainable participation for all in response to the climate crisis? We'd love to know about the origin of your idea, and what was your "aha" moment" that led you to take action?
Noah the Planet has become a much-loved environmental character in Barking & Dagenham, with an extraordinary response from children whenever he appears at festivals, school programmes, HAF delivery, NHS partnership events and community celebrations. We have directly engaged over 500 children face-to-face, and thousands more through local events. The “aha moment” came from witnessing children’s emotional connection to Noah. When he speaks about caring for nature, children listen. When he runs, they want to run. When he encourages healthy eating, they choose healthier options. This emotional bond creates behavioural change in a way traditional messaging cannot. Our initiative transforms that connection into action: weekly climate-aware running sessions culminating in participation in a youth marathon (London Kids’ Marathon or a borough-wide “Run for the Planet”). Running becomes symbolic solidarity for the planet. Each session combines: Structured physical activity Climate conversations Litter-aware routes Public transport and active travel promotion Indoor leisure centres will be used during extreme weather, ensuring climate-resilient participation year-round. The aim is not only fitness, but stewardship — encouraging children to care for green spaces, stop littering, and inspire peers to act.
Collaboration with young people and the community: In what ways does your initiative engage young people and community members closest to the problem? What role do they play in building the solution you deliver?
Young people are central architects of this initiative. Their enthusiasm for Noah drives its design. We will establish a Youth Planet Leaders group (ages 11–18), including participants from schools, HAF programmes, Ukrainian families, and migrant communities. They will: Help design running themes Co-create climate pledges Lead warm-ups and peer encouragement Propose green micro-projects funded through run-generated sponsorship We are already connected to young people through: HAF delivery NHS-linked health events After-school programmes Food festivals and borough celebrations Our partnerships with local leisure centres, schools, NHS events, and the Council allow us to recruit inclusively and meet young people where they already are.
Potential for/Evidence of Impact: How do you imagine your initiative will make a difference in raising climate awareness, shifting behaviors, or reducing environmental impact or harm? If you have already implemented it, what difference have you made so far? What is the impact your initiative has had¡, and/or what impact do you envision having in the future?
We have already demonstrated behaviour change through Noah’s presence. During HAF programmes, children reported trying healthier foods because “Noah eats green food.” At community festivals, children spontaneously initiated litter picking after engaging with Noah’s environmental messaging. In Year 1, we anticipate: 150–250 regular youth participants 40+ weekly sessions 5,000+ collective kilometres run 1–2 youth marathon participations Measurable reduction in litter on selected routes We will measure: Attendance and retention Self-reported behaviour change Waste collected Active travel uptake Youth-led climate pledges Long-term impact: Increased physical activity in a borough with high childhood obesity Youth-led environmental identity Creation of a green micro-grant fund for local youth climate projects The emotional attachment to Noah makes impact deeper and more sustainable than traditional sports programmes.
Innovation: What is different about your initiative compared to other solutions that are already out there? How is your approach original and innovative?
This initiative uniquely blends: A beloved environmental mascot Structured sport participation Behavioural psychology Youth leadership Community climate action Unlike standard running clubs, this is purpose-driven sport. The mascot acts as a behavioural catalyst. Children do not join “a fitness club”; they join a movement. Innovative elements include: Emotional engagement as climate behaviour driver Weekly runs as environmental activism Youth-generated micro-grant funding Indoor/outdoor climate-resilient rotation model Cross-sector collaboration (health, sport, environment) There is no other programme in the borough combining environmental storytelling, marathon ambition, youth empowerment and physical health at this scale.
Roles and Responsibilities: Describe how responsibilities are shared among your team or partners.
Project Lead (Laura Iosifescu): Strategic oversight, safeguarding, partnerships, monitoring and reporting. Run Coaches: Deliver safe, inclusive sessions across venues. Noah the Planet Performer: Engagement catalyst and environmental advocate. Youth Planet Leaders: Co-design activities and campaigns. Leisure Centres & Schools: Venue access and recruitment. NHS & Local Council Partners: Health and wellbeing integration. Volunteers: Route support, safeguarding supervision. College Students: Support costume development and sustainability design.
Viability and Scalability: How are you setting your organization up for success, and what is your plan to ensure operational sustainability of your solution and its impact? What are your ideas for scaling your initiative to the next level?
Year One will focus intentionally on deep engagement rather than rapid expansion. The first 12 months are designed to build a strong, consistent cohort of young participants through weekly training sessions, preparing them to take part in a major youth marathon — whether the London Kids’ Marathon or a locally organised “Run for the Planet” event. This structured year-long journey ensures commitment, discipline, visible progression, and community ownership. Rather than scaling too quickly, we are building a replicable and evidence-backed model rooted in Barking & Dagenham. Financial sustainability will be strengthened through: Sponsorship sourced via Barking & Dagenham Chamber of Commerce networks (where the Project Lead holds an Executive Events portfolio role) Local business partnerships aligned with CSR and climate responsibility Community fundraising runs and climate awareness events Youth-led sponsorship pledges linked to marathon participation Funds raised beyond operational delivery will seed a small Green Action Fund, supporting youth-led sustainability initiatives in the borough. Following a successful first year — with evidence of participation, retention, sponsorship engagement, and climate impact — the model can then be adapted and shared with neighbouring boroughs through partnership frameworks.
Upcoming Milestones: Please provide an overview of the milestones that are required for your initiative to come to fruition/ to grow.
Months 1–2: • Finalise partnerships with leisure centres (e.g., Bobby Moore Sports Hub and other borough venues) • Recruit coaches, youth ambassadors, and safeguarding leads • Launch outreach campaign via schools, Chamber networks, NHS contacts, and community organisations • Begin co-design workshops with young participants Months 3–4: • Weekly training sessions begin (indoor and outdoor depending on weather conditions) • Deliver climate literacy workshops alongside physical training • Introduce litter-pick challenges and eco-leadership pledges Months 5–8: • Youth-led awareness campaign across social media and local events • Community runs with Noah the Planet to build visibility • Begin sponsorship and fundraising drive with local businesses Months 9–11: • Preparation for major marathon participation (London Kids Marathon or local Run for the Planet event) • Community showcase event and youth storytelling campaign • Launch Green Action micro-grant framework Month 12: • Marathon participation • Impact measurement and evaluation report • Secure sponsorship commitments for Year Two
Capacity-Building Participation and Support Funding: If you were to make it as a finalist, you will be required to participate in an 8-week capacity building programme. If funding/ cost is a barrier to your participation, we may be able to offer up to 10,000 GBP of grant money available to support you. Please break down below, if it is the case, what costs you would incur and you would need covered. (Please note that there are restrictions on how the grant money may be used; please refer to the T&Cs for further details (LINK).
Participation in the 8-week capacity-building programme would strengthen governance, monitoring systems, partnership agreements, and scaling strategy. If additional support funding were available (up to £10,000), costs would include: • Backfill staffing to maintain weekly youth sessions during programme participation • Financial and legal advisory to strengthen long-term sponsorship agreements • Monitoring & evaluation system development (data tracking tools, youth impact reporting) • Strategic branding and communications support to grow sustainable sponsorship pipelines This investment would not fund delivery itself but would strengthen operational resilience, partnership infrastructure, and long-term sustainability — ensuring the initiative moves from a powerful local pilot to a stable, investable, community-led climate sport model.
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