Young people working in Norfolk’s land-based sector are invited to apply for the Bishop of Norwich Sustainable Environment Young Employee of the Year Award 2026, with a £1,000 prize to support training and career development.
The award recognises employees and apprentices under the age of 30 who are making an outstanding contribution to environmental sustainability through their work in Norfolk’s land-based industries.
The winner will receive £1,000 to fund training or professional development, along with two tickets to the Royal Norfolk Show, where they will be presented with their prize by the Bishop of Norwich on Thursday 25 June 2026.
The award is delivered in partnership between the Bishop of Norwich and the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, with support from the Food & Farming Discovery Trust.
Supporting young people in Norfolk’s land-based sector
Applicants must be employed or undertaking an apprenticeship in the land-based sector in Norfolk, with their work focused on areas such as:
- Land management
- Conservation
- Countryside management
- Ecology
- Climate change management
- Forestry
- Horticulture
The award aims to highlight career opportunities in environmental and land-based industries while recognising the achievements of young people working to protect and manage the natural environment.
Encouraging the next generation
The Rt Revd Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich and the Church of England’s Lead Bishop for the Environment, said:
“I am delighted to be working again in partnership with the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and the Food and Farming Discovery Trust to offer this prize to encourage and recognise those setting out on a career in land and nature.
“The nominees always give me great hope for the future, not least because I am passionate about the care of God’s creation and supporting those who appreciate the natural world as much as I have in my life.”
Mark Nicholas MBE DL said:
“The RNAA is delighted to partner again with the Bishop of Norwich to deliver this important initiative.
“The award is central to the RNAA’s wider role of promoting food production, farming, and the countryside, and it seeks to recognise the inspirational efforts by young people to enhance biodiversity and improve how we manage our natural capital.”
Picture: James Bass Photography
Previous winner highlights environmental leadership
The award was launched in 2022. The 2026 winner was Mai Sussex, who is a forester at Holkham Estate, met Anne, Princess Royal and the Bishop of Norwich at the Royal Norfolk Show and said she was honoured, surprised and really pleased to have won the award.
Mai began working on the Holkham estate as a trainee forester four years ago, when she was drawn to the role by the estate’s approach to champion sustainability.
Bishop Graham described Mai as:
“A wonderfully worthy winner. She is acutely aware of our need for more woodland and as she nurtures new saplings she is focusing on how she can contribute towards a better future for the whole planet.
“In the first book of the bible we are told ‘The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.’ It is a joy to see this annual award go to someone who is so keen to see more trees in Norfolk’s landscape.”
How to apply
Applicants must submit:
- A letter of recommendation from their employer
- A short video (maximum five minutes) introducing themselves and their work
Videos can be recorded on a smartphone and should cover:
- A short personal introduction
- Why the applicant chose their current role or apprenticeship
- How their work supports their career development
- Their interest in environmental issues and how they hope to make a difference
Entries should be emailed to info@ffdt.co.uk, with videos submitted via WeTransfer.
Further information can be found at ffdt.co.uk.
