Scouts Go Solar ambassadors training

The Scouts Go Solar ambassador training is an environmental education initiative developed through a partnership between World Scouting and Solafrica. The programme equips selected participants with the knowledge, practical skills, and leadership capacity to promote solar energy education within their National Scout Organization (NSO) or National Scout Association (NSA).

Participants will join a global network of Scouts Go Solar ambassadors to support the implementation of the Earth Tribe initiative and the Scouts for SDGs mobilisation.

Through this project, ambassadors will receive in-depth training and mentoring to introduce and implement the Scouts Go Solar challenge within their NSO/NSA. The training emphasises hands-on learning and practical activities, such as:

• Assembling a solar-powered torch for Scouts
• Building and using a simple solar cooker
• Conducting solar energy experiments and demonstrations

Ambassadors will be supported to guide local Scout groups and communities in adopting sustainable solar energy practices.

The main aim of the training is to prepare a new generation of Scouts Go Solar ambassadors who can support their NSO/NSA in implementing Earth Tribe and Scouts Go Solar, and spread environmental education among young people through the Scout Youth Programme.

Specific objectives: 

• Introduce Scouts Go Solar under the umbrella of the Earth Tribe initiative and Scouts for SDGs mobilisation.  
• Develop capacity within the National Scout Organization (NSO) and/or National Scout Association (NSA) to deliver training on Scouts Go Solar to adult and youth members.
• Increase the number of Scouts Go Solar ambassadors to enhance the uptake of Scouts Go Solar and environmental practices in National Scout Organizations (NSOs) and/or National Scout Associations (NSAs). 

What participants will gain:

After completing the programme and becoming a Scouts Go Solar ambassador, participants will be able to:

• Understand the Earth Tribe environmental education framework.
• Promote the Earth Tribe initiative and the Scouts Go Solar challenge.
• Support their NSO/NSA in implementing Earth Tribe and Scouts Go Solar nationally.
• Deliver solar education activities at the local, national, or regional level.
• Lead or contribute to national projects related to solar energy and sustainability.
• Raise funds to support solar education projects.
• Advocate for solar energy and sustainable practices within Scouting and communities.
• Promote community development through solar energy initiatives.
• Contribute to regional and global Scouts Go Solar ambassador networks.

The planning team is composed of: 

• Martin Wanner, Project Coordinator, Scouts Go Solar, Solafrica
• Michael Gotz, Technical Expert, Solafrica
• Ivy Murugi, Junior Manager, Education and Impact, World Scout Bureau
• Mary Nugent, Consultant, World Scout Bureau

The ambassador journey lasts 9–12 months and includes online learning, an in-person training, project implementation, and final evaluation. Participants must have the full support of their NSO/NSA to implement a national or local project during late 2026 or early 2027.

Online induction

Participants will attend three online sessions:

• Sunday, 3 May 2026 (12:00 - 15:00 CEST)
• Sunday, 10 May 2026 (12:00 - 15.00 CEST)
• Sunday, 31 May 2026 (12:00 - 15.00 CEST)

In-person training

Location: Kandersteg International Scout Centre (KISC), Switzerland

Duration: 8 days (including arrival and departure)

• Arrival: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
• Departure: Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Accommodation and meals will be provided at KISC from lunch on 16 June until lunch on 23 June. Participants will stay in shared rooms with other participants.

Design and implementation of a local project

Participants will design and implement a solar-related project within their NSO/NSA over approximately six months, with guidance from trainers and support from their organisation.

Online final presentation

On 21 February 2027, participants will present the outcomes of their projects and formally join the global Scouts Go Solar ambassador network.

The Scouts Go Solar Ambassador training is open to applicants who:

• Are aged 18–30 years old at the time of the in-person training at KISC.
• Are a Rover or Scout leader from the European Scout Region.
• Are an active volunteer at the local, district, or national level within a National Scout Organisation (NSO) and/or National Scout Association (NSA).
• Are committed to implementing a Scouts Go Solar project within their NSO/NSA after the training and sharing the initiative widely in their organisation.
• Have the support of their NSO/NSA at the national level to carry out this follow-up project.
• Are interested in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Earth Tribe initiative, and motivated to promote sustainability in Scouting.
• Are enthusiastic about hands-on learning, including completing simple engineering tasks and building practical structures related to solar energy.
• Are able to follow the training in English, including technical explanations.
• Are responsible and proactive, willing to complete online preparation before the in-person training and actively contribute as a Scouts Go Solar ambassador afterwards.

The working language will be English to facilitate all exchanges among participants. Being able to communicate in that language effectively is essential to participating.  

There is no participation fee for selected participants. The programme is fully funded by Solafrica. Solafrica will provide full scholarships for 12–15 participants, selected from candidates nominated by their NSO/NSA.

The scholarship covers:

• Accommodation
• Meals
• Training programme
• Travel to and from the venue
• NSOs/NSAs are expected to cover local travel costs within their country.

Additional participants may attend if their NSO/NSA covers the programme costs (450 EUR participation fee) and travel.

Participants must be nominated by their NSO/NSA.

• Deadline: 16 April 2026, 23:59 CEST
• Nominations must be submitted via the official registration form.

Each nomination must be endorsed by the International Commissioner of the NSO/NSA.

Applicants must also submit a Scout CV, outlining their Scouting experience.

Only one fully sponsored participant per NSO/NSA can be selected.

Selected participants will receive a confirmation email and information package, after which travel arrangements will be organised.

The event will cover travel expenses. Travel by train or bus, where possible, is encouraged as the most sustainable option; however, those who cannot avail themselves of this will arrive at an airport first. It is preferable to fly directly to Zurich, Geneva or Milan. The last leg of the journey, a train or bus from the airport of choice, will also be supported. To book travel, the planning team will contact the National Scout Organization (NSO) and/or the National Scout Association (NSA) directly in the days following confirmation. Participants can take a free bus from the local train station in Kandersteg to the Scout centre.

Please do not book your travel until you receive a confirmation email and information letter from the European Scout Region, which will provide more details on the logistics.

Visa costs will be covered by the organiser; the European Scout Region can provide support to obtain visa approval. Please let us know in the event’s online registration form if you need a visa to enter Switzerland.

The European Region of World Scouting does not cover participants' risks during the event or travel to or from the venue. Please note that it is the exclusive responsibility of the participant’s sending organisation to verify that the participant's risks are covered by insurance (illness, accidents, repatriation, etc.).

To complete the programme and receive ambassador recognition, participants must:

• Attend the online induction sessions (recordings may be available in exceptional cases).
• Participate fully in the in-person training at KISC.
• Design and implement a solar project supported by their NSO/NSA.
• Submit and complete the project with approval from the World Scout Bureau - Europe Support Centre and Solafrica.
• Present their project during the final online session.

Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive:

• A Scouts Go Solar ambassador scarf
• A certificate
• An official badge

These recognition elements will be issued by Solafrica and the World Scout Bureau – Europe Support Centre, with the support of the participant’s NSO/NSA.

If you have any questions or require further information about the event, please contact the Planning Team via Mary Nugent at [email protected].