# Danske Bank and Young Enterprise NI Open Fourth Year of £5,000 Biodiversity Challenge

> Danske Bank and Young Enterprise NI have opened registration for the fourth year of Challenge: Biodiversity.

- Published: 2026-11-02T11:44:17+00:00
- Section: Partnerships
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-02/danske-bank-biodiversity-challenge-young-enterprise
- Source: [Sync NI](https://syncni.com/article/16171/danske-bank-and-young-enterprise-ni-launch-5-000-biodiversity-challenge-for-schools)

## Key takeaways

- Danske Bank and Young Enterprise Northern Ireland launched the fourth year of Challenge: Biodiversity during Green Careers Week, with a £5,000 overall prize fund.
- The competition entry window now runs across terms 2 and 3, and the programme is delivered free through the YE Academy platform for pupils in Years 8 to 14.
- Carrickfergus Academy, a winner last year, based its project on protecting and restoring the biodiversity of Belfast Lough.

Danske Bank and Young Enterprise Northern Ireland have launched the fourth year of Danske Bank Challenge: Biodiversity, a competition for post-primary schools with a £5,000 overall prize fund. [Sync NI](https://syncni.com/article/16171/danske-bank-and-young-enterprise-ni-launch-5-000-biodiversity-challenge-for-schools) reported the launch took place during Green Careers Week, which runs from November 2 to 6, 2026.

## How the Danske Bank Biodiversity Challenge Works

Registration is now open for the challenge, which is delivered digitally through the YE Academy online learning platform. The programme is a free, ready-to-use resource for post-primary pupils in Years 8 to 14 and was developed with teachers. It features three 40-minute interactive modules that integrate into subjects including Geography and Learning for Life & Work.

Students learn about Northern Ireland's ecosystems and the environmental challenges facing local wildlife and habitats, examine industry impacts in agri-food, infrastructure, manufacturing and tourism, and explore green careers. Teams then design a product, service or campaign supporting biodiversity and pitch their ideas to an expert judging panel. The entry window has been expanded across terms 2 and 3 to give educators and students more flexibility to embed the programme in the academic year.

Chris Martin, Head of Sustainability at [Danske Bank](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0000zrw/danske-bank), said: "We want to help young people build the skills and confidence they need for the world of work." Carol Fitzsimons MBE, Chief Executive of [Young Enterprise](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/000fagf/young-enterprise) Northern Ireland, said extending delivery across terms 2 and 3 gives teachers greater scope to incorporate the digital modules into the existing curriculum. Young Enterprise NI connects with over 100,000 young people annually, according to Sync NI.

## Carrickfergus Academy on Last Year's Winning Project

Among last year's winning schools was Carrickfergus Academy, whose project focused on protecting and restoring the biodiversity of Belfast Lough. Mrs Catherine Laughlin of Carrickfergus Academy said taking part gave pupils the chance to look at the local environment "with fresh eyes" and showed them their ideas have genuine value. The bank said it views climate action and biodiversity protection as "two sides of the one coin", an approach recently recognised with Platinum accreditation under the Business & Biodiversity Charter.

## Danske Bank's Earlier Partnerships in Northern Ireland

Danske Bank renewed its Foundation Partnership with SistersIN for 2026/27, extending a relationship since the program's launch five years ago, Sync NI reported in October 2026, according to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data). The bank also joined the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme, introducing trained Endometriosis Champions and new menstrual health guiding principles, Sync NI reported the same month. In October 2026, Young Enterprise Northern Ireland set out a 2030 vision to deliver 500,000 learning experiences to young people across the region, marking its 40th anniversary, Sync NI reported.

## Where to Register for the Challenge

Registration for the Danske Bank Challenge: Biodiversity is open. Entry requirements, submission guidelines and key term 2 and term 3 milestone dates are available on the Young Enterprise NI challenge page.

## Companies in this story

- [Danske Bank company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0000zrw/danske-bank) · website: http://www.danskebank.com
- [Young Enterprise company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/000fagf/young-enterprise) · website: http://www.young-enterprise.org.uk

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