We’re proud to announce that NE Youth has been awarded Silver Accreditation by Investors in the Environment (iiE)— a nationally recognised scheme that supports organisations to embed sustainability at the heart of their operations.

This achievement reflects our growing commitment to environmental responsibility and marks a significant milestone in our sustainability journey.

Our iiE Journey

We began our journey with iiE in 2023 and were delighted to achieve Bronze Accreditation last year. That initial recognition gave us the foundation and momentum to go further. Over the past 12 months, we’ve built on that success by expanding our sustainability efforts, increasing staff engagement, and taking further action to reduce our environmental impact.

Our initiatives have included reducing single-use plastics at events, improving recycling systems across our offices, and delivering sustainability training to staff. We’ve also reviewed our supply chains and purchasing policies to prioritise sustainable and ethical procurement. This aligns with the environmental goals set out in our Environmental Policy, which includes reducing waste, promoting efficient use of resources, and increasing awareness among the young people we work with.

Achieving Silver Accreditation recognises the progress we’ve made — and motivates us to go even further.

How iiE Has Helped Us Improve

The iiE accreditation scheme has given us a structured framework to assess our environmental performance, set meaningful goals, and track progress. Regular audits, expert advice from Genee (iiE’s North East delivery partner), and the support of other member organisations have all contributed to our success.

It’s more than just a checklist — it’s helped us embed sustainability into the core of how we work.

Championing Green Culture

“We’re thrilled to have achieved Silver Accreditation with iiE. It’s a testament to the commitment of our staff and volunteers, who are helping to build a greener organisation from the inside out. As a youth-focused charity, we want to ensure that the world we hand over to future generations is one they can thrive in.”
— Joanne Ormandy, Green Champion, NE Youth

What’s Next?

This Silver Accreditation is just the next step in our ongoing journey. Looking ahead, we’re exploring:

  • More sustainable travel options for our outreach work

  • Greener fundraising events

  • Deeper engagement with young people on climate action

We encourage other charities and organisations to take that first step on their sustainability journey with iiE — the benefits are long-lasting and impactful.

To learn more about the iiE accreditation scheme, visit www.iie.uk.com.

About iiE
Investors in the Environment is a national environmental accreditation scheme delivered in the North East by Genee. It provides organisations of all sizes with a clear framework to improve their sustainability performance. iiE is owned and managed by the sustainability charity PECT, and has supported hundreds of organisations over the past 12+ years.

Find out more at www.genee.org.uk and www.iie.uk.com.