BELIEVE in Climate Action – East of England Internship

The Faith & Belief Forum, in partnership with the Cambridge Interfaith Programme, is launching BELIEVE in Climate Action — a groundbreaking four-year interfaith programme funded by the Climate Action Fund (supported by National Lottery players). Across four regions of England, paid interns will work at the intersection of faith, community, and climate justice, supporting young people through schools as hubs for local climate action.

We are recruiting a BELIEVE Intern for the East of England region. Although this is one of four roles, this specific post is ideal for someone based in or near Cambridge or elsewhere in the East of England. You will co-lead school-based climate projects, work closely with local faith and belief communities, and help young people shape their own responses to local climate concerns. This is a values-driven, community-led approach to climate action, and we especially welcome candidates from underrepresented faith and belief communities.

About the Programme

BELIEVE in Climate Action is a brand new programme led by the Faith & Belief Forum — one of the UK’s longest-standing interfaith organisations — in partnership with the Cambridge Interfaith Programme. Over four years, the programme will work across multiple regions of England to engage schools as community hubs for climate action. Using an interfaith and values-driven approach, BELIEVE will support young people from all backgrounds — including those from diverse faith and belief communities — to lead climate projects in their local areas.

The programme is funded by the Climate Action Fund, a grants programme using money raised by National Lottery players, distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund. The fund supports projects that bring communities together to address climate change in a way that is local, inclusive, and sustainable.

Your Role as a BELIEVE Intern (East of England)

As a BELIEVE Intern, you will be an essential part of the regional team, co-leading school-based climate projects in the East of England. You will work closely with schools, local faith groups, and community organisations to design and deliver after-school climate programmes that are shaped by the needs and priorities of the young people you support.

This is not a passive internship. You will take real ownership of projects, develop your facilitation and leadership skills, and gain hands-on experience in community organising, interfaith engagement, and youth climate education. You will be supported by the Faith & Belief Forum’s experienced team and by the wider Cambridge Interfaith Programme network.

The role is based in the East of England (with a preference for candidates based in or near Cambridge or the wider Cambridgeshire area), but some travel within the region may be required. The position is paid at the Real Living Wage (£13.45 per hour outside London) and is for 2 days per week over a 12-month period, starting in August 2026.

Key Responsibilities

Co-lead school-based climate projects in secondary and primary schools across the East of England, working with teachers and community partners to design activities that are age-appropriate, inclusive, and linked to local environmental concerns.
Plan and facilitate after-school climate programmes, including workshops, discussion groups, and hands-on activities that support young people to explore climate change through the lens of their own values, faith, and belief backgrounds.
Engage with local faith and belief communities — including churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, gurdwaras, humanist groups, and other organisations — to build partnerships and ensure the programme is genuinely community-led and culturally sensitive.
Support and mentor young people to develop their own climate action projects, helping them to identify local environmental issues, set goals, and take meaningful action in their schools and neighbourhoods.
Contribute to monitoring and evaluation by collecting feedback from participants, tracking attendance and engagement, and helping to produce short reports on programme impact for funders and stakeholders.
Assist with communications and outreach, including creating social media content (posts, short videos, photos) for the Faith & Belief Forum and Cambridge Interfaith Programme channels, and helping to promote the programme to new schools and community partners.
Attend regular team meetings with fellow interns, the BELIEVE programme manager, and the wider Faith & Belief Forum team to share learning, troubleshoot challenges, and co-develop resources.
Participate in training and professional development offered by the Faith & Belief Forum, covering topics such as interfaith dialogue facilitation, youth work safeguarding, climate literacy, and community organising.

About You

We are looking for someone who is passionate about climate action, curious about interfaith work, and excited about working with young people. You do not need to be an expert in climate science or interfaith dialogue — what matters most is your willingness to learn, your commitment to inclusion, and your ability to build genuine relationships with the communities you work with.

You might be a recent graduate, someone early in your career, or someone looking to move into the climate or community sectors. You might come from a faith or belief community yourself, or you might have no particular faith background but a deep respect for the diversity of beliefs and values that shape how people respond to the climate crisis. We especially welcome applications from candidates who are from communities that are currently underrepresented in the climate and interfaith sectors.

Essential Skills and Experience

Strong communication skills — both written and verbal — with the ability to engage confidently with young people, teachers, faith leaders, and community partners from a wide range of backgrounds.
Experience of working with or volunteering with young people in any setting (schools, youth clubs, community groups, faith organisations, etc.).
A genuine interest in climate action and environmental issues, and a willingness to deepen your understanding of how climate change intersects with questions of justice, values, and community.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team — you will be based regionally and will need to manage your own time and workload, while also being an active and collaborative member of a small, distributed team.
Good organisational skills, with the ability to plan sessions, manage multiple deadlines, and keep clear records of your work.
Basic digital skills, including comfort with tools such as Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive), Microsoft Teams or Zoom, and social media platforms (Instagram, X/Twitter, Tikn
Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and an understanding of the importance of creating spaces where people of all faiths and beliefs (and none) feel welcome and respected.
Based in or near the East of England (preferably Cambridgeshire or surrounding areas), with the ability to travel within the region for school visits and community meetings.

Desirable Skills and Experience

Experience of facilitation or workshop delivery in schools, community settings, or youth organisations.
Knowledge of or personal connection to interfaith or multi-faith communities in the East of England.
Familiarity with climate education frameworks, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Eco-Schools, or similar programmes.
Experience with basic content creation (photography, short video, Canva) for social media or communications purposes.
A safeguarding certificate or willingness to complete safeguarding training at the start of the placement.

What We Offer

Paid internship at the Real Living Wage: £13.45 per hour (East of England rate), paid monthly.
Duration: 12 months, starting August 2026, working 2 days per week (approximately 0.4–0.5 FTE).
Training and professional development: You will receive structured training in interfaith facilitation, youth work safeguarding, climate literacy, and community organising, as well as ongoing mentoring from experienced staff at the Faith & Belief Forum.
Real project ownership: You will not be making tea. From the start, you will co-design and lead climate projects that have a tangible impact in schools and communities across the East of England.
Networking and community: As one of four BELIEVE interns across England, you will be part of a national cohort, with regular opportunities to meet, share learning, and collaborate with interns in the North West, West Midlands, and London.
Connection to established organisations: You will be working with the Faith & Belief Forum (founded in 1997) and the Cambridge Interfaith Programme (a leader in interfaith education based at the University of Cambridge), giving you access to a wide network of interfaith practitioners, academics, and community leaders.
Flexible working: While you will need to be available for school visits and community meetings during the working week, we are happy to discuss flexible scheduling around your other commitments.

Work Environment and Culture

The Faith & Belief Forum is a friendly, inclusive, and mission-driven organisation with a long track record of bringing people together across lines of difference. We believe that the climate crisis is not only an environmental issue but also a social, ethical, and spiritual one — and that people of all faiths and beliefs have a vital role to play in addressing it.

Our team is small but passionate, and we value curiosity, kindness, and a willingness to learn from one another. As an intern, you will be treated as a valued member of the team, with real responsibilities and real support. We are committed to making this internship accessible and meaningful, and we will work with you to ensure that the placement fits your goals and circumstances.

About the Wider BELIEVE Programme

BELIEVE in Climate Action is a four-year programme (2026–2030) delivered by the Faith & Belief Forum in partnership with the Cambridge Interfaith Programme. Funded by the Climate Action Fund (The National Lottery Community Fund), the programme operates across four regions of England: East of England, North West, West Midlands, and London. In each region, a dedicated intern works with schools as community hubs to support young people in leading climate action projects that reflect their own values and the needs of their local communities.

The programme builds on decades of interfaith experience and responds to growing demand from schools and communities for climate education that is inclusive, values-driven, and rooted in local action. By placing young people at the centre and drawing on the wisdom and energy of diverse faith and belief communities, BELIEVE aims to demonstrate a new model for community-led climate engagement.

How to Apply

To apply for the BELIEVE in Climate Action – East of England Intern role, please visit the official application page at the Faith & Belief Forum website. You will be asked to submit your CV and a short statement explaining why you are interested in the role and what you would bring to it.

Application deadline: 12:00pm (noon), Tuesday 17 June 2026.

Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this role.

If you have any questions about the role or the application process, please contact the Faith & Belief Forum team via their website. We are happy to arrange an informal conversation before you apply.

We look forward to hearing from you — and to welcoming the successful candidate later this year.