Funding opportunities - The hidden barrier to environmental engagement

The hidden barrier to
environmental engagement

Using positive storytelling
to overcome eco-anxiety

Positive storytelling and immersive experiences can overcome eco-anxiety and unlock lasting environmental and social impacts. Help flip the script to reduce eco-anxiety in our community.

Eco-anxiety, the stress, grief, or powerlessness people feel about environmental crises, is on the rise. A 2021 global survey of 10,000 young people aged 16–25 years found that 59% were very or extremely worried about climate change, and over 45% said it affected their daily life and functioning.1

Scare campaigns and constant images of helplessness can fuel mental stress and feelings of despair. Young people who feel they have ‘nothing left to lose’ may engage in high-risk activity. This national project flips the script: replacing fear with positive storytelling, practical solutions, and immersive nature experiences that inspire action. In doing so, we build resilience, well-being, and care for Country – while delivering measurable ESG and SDG outcomes.

1 Hickman, C. et. al., 2021. Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey. The Lancet Planetary Health, 5(12), pp.e863–e873. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00278-3

Visit our corporate website to learn more about the Healthy Forests Foundation

The opportunity

Focus: Addressing eco-anxiety by replacing fear-based messaging with positive, solution-focused communications, restorative nature experiences, and practical pathways for action
Scale: National reach through integrated media, events and education, supported by community partnerships and nature-based activities
Approach: Inclusive, multi-partner delivery involving cultural, mental health, and environmental expertise, underpinned by measurable well-being and behaviour-change outcomes
Timeline: 3-year program with staged delivery and impact reporting at baseline, mid-project, and completion
Investment pathways: Investment options available from $25,000–150,000

Activities include:

Field experiences in nature: Guided by First Nations people and other experts, immersive activities fostering connection and wellbeing
Podcast: Eco-anxiety and action – stories of resilience, culture, and climate solutions
Education and resources: Practical tools to help people act for the environment
Targeted communications: Digital and social campaigns for ESG-aware audiences
Youth and mental health partnerships: Linking climate action with wellbeing support
Cultural storytelling events: Sharing perspectives that foster care for Country
Monitoring, reporting and verification: Corporate-ready impact data

Why addressing eco-anxiety matters

Eco-anxiety is more than a personal struggle; it is a barrier to effective climate and biodiversity action. Overwhelming, fear-based messages can cause people to shut down, while positive, solutions-focused communication engages more deeply and sustains involvement.

In Australia, the challenge is especially clear: in the Australian subset of the major global survey, 50% of young people said they believe humanity is doomed, and 76% described the future as frightening.1

Without the right support and narratives, these feelings of hopelessness can contribute to mental stress and overwhelm, causing many young people to withdraw and stay inactive. By shifting from despair to possibility and isolation to community, we can transform anxiety into hope and meaningful actions that benefit people, nature, and the partners who support them.

Strategic investment value

Corporate partner value

Co-create a national program that flips the script on fear-based environmental messaging, delivers measurable mental health and biodiversity benefits, and positions your organisation as a leader in nature-positive investment

Project cost

Investiment opportunities in sub-programs from $25,000–150,000

Investment opportunities

Sub-programs include: First Nations–involved field experiences, podcast series on eco-anxiety and action, public education and resources, targeted communications campaign, mental health and youth partnerships, and nature immersion and cultural storytelling events

ASF taxonomy mapping

Support Services for A2.9, A4.1, A5.1 – fostering behavioural change, First Nations-led reconnection with Country, and social co-benefits through nature-based wellbeing and education

ESG reporting

Metrics and narratives on wellbeing, inclusion, mental health, climate education, biodiversity

SDG alignment

Support for SDGs 3, 4, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17

Employee engagement

Opportunities for staff participation and learning

Reputation and brand

Aligns with climate-resilient, nature-positive identity

Measureable outcomes

Baseline, mid-project, and final reporting on wellbeing, reach, and behavioural outcomes – aligned with ESG and TNFD cycles

What your investment enables

Nature-based programs that support mental wellbeing
Public storytelling and education resources
Measurable improvements in community resilience and climate action
Tangible biodiversity and climate benefits
Transparent impact reporting for ESG disclosure

ESG and SDG alignment

ESG alignment

Environment: Supports biodiversity restoration, nature connection, and climate resilience initiatives
Social: Improves mental wellbeing, fosters inclusion, and builds community resilience
Governance: Transparent monitoring, reporting, and verification aligned to corporate disclosure needs

Aligned SDGs

3 | Good health and wellbeing

Supports mental and physical wellbeing

4 | Quality education

Builds ecological and cultural literacy

10 | Reduced inequalities

Expands access to nature and wellbeing resources

12 | Responsible consumption and production

Fosters sustainable behaviours

13 | Climate action

Strengthens resilience through engagement and restoration

15 | Life on land

Protects biodiversity through active stewardship

17 | Partnerships for the goals

Enables multi-sector collaboration

Partner with us

We welcome full or partial investment, with tailored models to align with your strategy. Together, we can address one of the fastest-growing wellbeing challenges of our time, while restoring Country and building lasting social and ecological resilience.

Strengthening efforts through alignment

Prior to initiating projects, we undertake careful landscape and stakeholder analyses to ensure our work complements existing efforts. Where appropriate, we explore opportunities to collaborate and enhance our collective impact.