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
Youth Active Water Sports (YAWS)
Lead Organization Name
Urbanwise.London
My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
1
Year that you started/ registered your organisation
1982
Website URL(s) or Social Media Handles
https://www.instagram.com/urbanwise.london
Initiative Stage
Pilot-Stage (The first activities have happened, and you have proof of concept)
Sectors/Themes: What topic does your project most directly relate to?
Children & Youth
Initiative Summary: Describe your initiative in one sentence
Youth Water Active Sports (YAWS) is an innovative partnership between Urbanwise.london and London Sports Trust—supported by the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators—that engages young people in "Active Stewardship" by combining water paddle sports , clean ups and citizen science to monitor waterways health and create a scalable climate-action model for water sport clubs across London and beyond.
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?
London’s waterways are vital blue corridors for climate resilience, yet they are plagued by plastic pollution, declining water quality, and neglected biodiversity. Many young Londoners live minutes from these spaces but remain disconnected from them, viewing canals as polluted no-go zones rather than venues for sport or environmental action. This lack of access fuels climate fatalism; young people witness environmental decay firsthand but lack the tools, physical skills, or platform to intervene. The primary beneficiaries are young Londoners aged 10–18 from underserved backgrounds who face significant barriers to expensive watersports. They will gain physical health benefits, practical science skills, and leadership experience. Secondary beneficiaries include their families, the wider community, and local groups, who will all benefit from cleaner canals/rivers, and a replicable model for youth-led stewardship. We are embedded in the heart of this challenge. Urbanwise.london and London Sports Trust operate directly from the Canalside Activity Centre and riverside locations, where we deliver successful programs with youth engagement. We see the barriers to waterway access daily and have built the trust necessary to transform local youth. This project is a direct response to our participants' desire to take tangible action against the climate crisis.
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?
Youth Active Water Sports (YAWS) uses the physical power of paddling to turn passive observation into active intervention. We use kayaks and canoes as vessels for change, allowing young people to reach pollution hotspots that are inaccessible from the banks. By combining the physicality of Paddle & Pick sessions with technical water quality testing and biodiversity monitoring, we move climate action onto the water. This approach builds climate literacy through movement, shifting behaviour from "not my problem" to "this is my waterway." We will provide equipment, training, and professional coaching, removing the financial and cultural barriers to water sports. We are not just running sessions; we are training a cohort of Water Guardians to lead community campaigns and produce waterway reports. Crucially, this project adapts existing sports infrastructure to be more climate-resilient. By monitoring water and environmental health, our participants will help manage and protect these blue spaces, creating a scalable model that allows other youth clubs to transition from leisure-only to environmental stewardship hubs. Our moment of clarity came during a youth session at the Canalside Activity Centre. We watched a group navigate a difficult stretch of the canal, only to become frustrated when they reached a "plastic island" of trapped debris they could see but couldn't clear from the towpath. Their frustration was a turning point: they didn’t just want to discuss pollution; they wanted the agency to solve it. We realized the kayak wasn't just sports equipment—it was a tool for empowerment. By adding water-testing kits and environmental surveys, we transformed a standard sports session into a scientific expedition, giving these young people agency to be active citizens.
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?
Youth Active Water Sports (YAWS) is built on the principle of "nothing for them, without them." Because we are embedded in the community at the Canalside Activity Centre, our initiative is co-created with the young people we serve. They are not merely recipients of a service; they are the architects of the program’s delivery. The idea for YAWS originated from direct feedback from our current youth cohorts who expressed "climate anxiety" and a desire for more than just a leisure activity. We held focus groups where young people identified the specific stretches of the canal that felt "neglected" and chose the wildlife species they were most interested in protecting. This ensured the program was built around their specific curiosities and local identity. Once the program begins, young people play three vital roles: The Navigators: Youth leaders help plan the "Paddle & Pick" routes based on their own mapping of litter hotspots, giving them operational responsibility. The Scientists: Working with Urbanwise.london and the Water Conservators, young people help select which water quality indicators (like microplastics or pH) they feel are most relevant to their local area to track. The Communicators: Participants take the lead on building the solution’s public face. They capture the digital content for "Waterway Reports," ensuring the language and style resonate with their peers, not just adults. By placing young people at the heart of the "Water Action Toolkit," we are ensuring the model we build for other clubs is "youth-tested." This community-led approach ensures that the solution is rooted in the lived experience of West London’s youth, transforming them from passive observers of environmental decline into the recognised experts of their local blue spaces.
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?
The impact of Youth Active Water Sports (YAWS) will be measured across three metrics: 1. Immediate Outputs (The Numbers): We envision engaging 250 young people annually through intensive activities. A core output is Environmental Monitoring: we will generate a ‘Water Health Dataset’ featuring dozens of data points on water quality. This will provide the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators and local authorities with localised citizen-science data that currently does not exist. Additionally, we project the removal of 2,000+ kg of debris through Paddle & Pick sessions. 2. Shifting Behaviors (The Story): Our work proves that "active science" creates a profound shift in attitudes. We see this impact when a participant who previously viewed the canal as a polluted no-go zone begins identifying nesting sites and explaining water oxygenation to their peers. This impact is unique to watersports; the moment a young person tests the water they are paddling in, their connection to the environment moves from abstract to personal. 3. Long-Term Systemic Change (The Scale): The most significant impact is the YAWS Blueprint. We will produce a Water Action Toolkit—including safety protocols, testing guides, and digital reporting templates—enabling 6 other London watersport clubs to adopt this model. We are shifting the "standard of play" for London’s blue spaces, moving from simple recreation to active climate resilience. Success is a generation of Londoners who possess the scientific literacy and physical agency to protect their local environment for decades to come.
Innovation: What is different about your initiative compared to other solutions that are already out there? How is your approach original and innovative?
The impact of Youth Active Water Sports (YAWS) will be measured across three metrics: 1. Immediate Outputs (The Numbers): We envision engaging 250 young people annually through intensive activities. A core output is Environmental Monitoring: we will generate a ‘Water Health Dataset’ featuring dozens of data points on water quality. This will provide the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators and local authorities with localised citizen-science data that currently does not exist. Additionally, we project the removal of 2,000+ kg of debris through Paddle & Pick sessions. 2. Shifting Behaviours (The Story): Our work proves that "active science" creates a profound shift in attitudes. We see this impact when a participant who previously viewed the canal as a polluted no-go zone begins identifying nesting sites and explaining water oxygenation to their peers. This impact is unique to watersports; the moment a young person tests the water they are paddling in, their connection to the environment moves from abstract to personal. 3. Long-Term Systemic Change (The Scale): The most significant impact is the YAWS Blueprint. We will produce a Water Action Toolkit—including safety protocols, testing guides, and digital reporting templates—enabling 6 other London water sport clubs to adopt this model. We are shifting the "standard of play" for London’s blue spaces, moving from simple recreation to active climate resilience. This program is informed by our current pilot partnership with the WCWC. By formalising this into a permanent digital resource with live data and photos, we ensure a lasting legacy where Londoners possess the scientific literacy and physical agency to protect their local environment for decades to come.
Roles and Responsibilities: Describe how responsibilities are shared among your team or partners.
Youth Active Water Sports (YAWS) is a collaborative initiative where responsibilities are divided based on each partner’s expertise, led by Urbanwise.london. Urbanwise.london (Lead Partner) – Environmental Education & Project Management: As the lead organisation, Urbanwise oversees the project's strategic direction, budget, and reporting. We are responsible for the "Climate" pillar, designing the environmental curriculum and leading the scientific monitoring sessions. Urbanwise manages the creation of the YAWS Blueprint, including the development of the digital toolkit, the youth-led blog, and the educational resources to be shared with other London clubs. London Sports Trust (LST) – Sport & Logistics: LST leads the "Active" pillar. They provide the British Canoeing qualified instructors, manage the fleet of kayaks and canoes, and ensure all on-water health and safety protocols are met. Operating from their riverside bases, LST manages the recruitment of young people through their deep-rooted community networks, providing the physical infrastructure for every session. Worshipful Company of Water Conservators (WCWC) – Technical & Scientific Guidance: The WCWC provides the "Professional" pillar. They offer technical oversight of water quality testing, ensuring the data collected is robust. They provide mentorship by connecting young participants with water industry professionals and help validate the Water Health Dataset for use by environmental agencies. Shared responsibility is maintained through a steering group led by Urbanwise. This structure ensures every session is a seamless blend of physical sport, scientific inquiry, and environmental advocacy, providing a wrap-around support system that no single organisation could deliver alone.
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?
Operational Sustainability: Urbanwise.london is ensuring long-term success by investing in training, equipment and capacity building. We are embedding the YAWS methodology into the core training of Urbanwise and London Sports Trust staff, making environmental stewardship a permanent feature of our delivery. Our partnership with the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators (WCWC) provides a professional bridge to industry expertise, ensuring the project remains scientifically rigorous and connected to the wider water sector. Scaling the Impact: To move YAWS to the next level, we will build a Digital Toolkit . This "plug-and-play" model—containing risk assessments, protocols, and curriculum guides—will be piloted and refined with 6 partner clubs. To ensure the impact grows, we will: Career Pathways: Transition our "Water Guardians" into leadership roles, providing them with certificates and direct introductions to green careers and mentorship through the WCWC. Diversified Funding: Use the "Water Health Dataset" to attract future environmental grants and corporate sponsorships from the water and utility industries. Systemic Shift: Use the digital hub to share our results with the wider London youth sector, creating a proven roadmap for climate-resilient sport.
Upcoming Milestones: Please provide an overview of the milestones that are required for your initiative to come to fruition/ to grow.
YAWS Project Plan: From Pilot to City-Wide Blueprint Phase 1: Mobilisation & Co-Design (Months 1–4) Activities: Procurement of equipment; joint staff training; youth focus groups to co-design the "Water Action Toolkit" and reporting style. Milestones: All equipment on-site; staff certified in YAWS methodology; pilot curriculum finalised. Outcomes: Increased organizational readiness and a youth-validated delivery model. Phase 2: Core Delivery & Career Pathways (Months 5–16) Activities: Rolling "Paddle & Pick" sessions and water quality testing for 250+ young people; monthly data uploads to the Water Health Dataset; 1:1 mentorship sessions with WCWC professionals. Milestones: First 100 "Water Guardians" trained; initial Live Water Health Report published; first industry mentorship cycle completed. Outcomes: Improved physical health for participants; reduced canal debris; shift from climate anxiety to environmental agency. Phase 3: Digital Hub & Scaling (Months 10–24) Activities: Launch of the YAWS Digital Hub (website, toolkit, and blog); recruitment and training of 6 partner clubs across London; youth-led "State of the Waterway" event. Milestones: Digital Hub live; 6 partner clubs signed and trained; final project impact report published. Outcomes: A scalable "Blueprint" for London’s blue spaces; establishment of a permanent peer-leadership network; project sustainability through a replicable model.
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).
To ensure the Youth Active Water Sports (YAWS) initiative is refined to the highest standard, we require support to backfill key roles within Urbanwise.london and London Sports Trust. This funding will allow our senior leadership and project leads to participate fully in the 8-week program without disrupting our existing frontline community services. Estimated Cost Breakdown: Senior Project Lead Backfill (£5,000): Covering 2 days per week for 8 weeks for the Urbanwise Project Lead. This ensures they can lead the co-design and refinement process, attend all workshops, and collaborate with mentors while a qualified sessional lead manages current school and community contracts. Operational & Sports Lead Backfill (£3,000): Covering 1.5 days per week for the London Sports Trust lead to participate in technical refinement, safety auditing, and scaling strategy, ensuring Canalside Activity Centre operations remain fully staffed. Youth Co-Creation & Focus Group Costs (£1,500): To truly co-design the solution during this 8-week phase, we will run three dedicated youth focus groups. This covers participant travel, refreshments, and vouchers to value the time and expertise of the young people helping us refine the "Water Action Toolkit." Travel & Admin (£500): Travel to in-person workshops across London and administrative support for the intensive 8-week planning phase. Total Requested: £10,000
If you selected “Other”, please specify below.
Developing a model for youth climate, science and citizenship engagement
