08.05.2026

Academy launches to support the development of those working in the green space sector

The international Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces – managed by national environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy – has unveiled a new online education resource designed to offer learning and upskilling opportunities.

Launched 30 years ago, the Green Flag Award Scheme is the international quality standard for parks and green spaces, providing the high standards against which sites are measured, and which land managers, local authorities and volunteers seek to achieve.

To help maximise the benefits of access to quality green spaces the academy will deliver targeted learning opportunities through webinars, resources and study tours.

The platform will provide tailored learning to a range of audiences involved in caring for parks and green spaces, whilst also supporting hundreds of volunteer judges who help assess more than 2,500 sites every year for the Green Flag Award.

Keep Britain Tidy believes that everyone in the country should have access to safe, high-quality parks within walking distance. When used frequently, parks provide over £34 billion in health and wellbeing benefits annually and save the NHS over £111 million every year in reduced GP visits alone. But despite this, many parks are suffering from under-investment and neglect, putting these vital benefits at risk.

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “We are committed to working closely with all stakeholders to develop and grow the Green Flag Award Academy for the benefit of everyone in the parks and green space sector and ultimately the users of these precious spaces.

"Having access to green spaces is now more important than ever with the many benefits they bring, in particular, to people’s physical and mental health, community cohesion and pride in place.

"Skilled professionals who are kept up to date with new developments in the sector is key to our aim of ensuring everyone has access to a quality park or green space and we hope the Green Flag Award Academy will play its part in supporting this aim.

"The Academy is more than just a training resource, it’s a commitment to the people who keep our green spaces thriving.”

The Academy was launched with a virtual event including sessions covering; Funding and support for parks and green spaces, delivered by Drew Bennellick, Head of Land, Sea & Nature Policy UK at the National Heritage Lottery Fund and Beyond Distance: Rethinking accessibility to parks for different ethnic groups in Bristol, delivered by Charlee Bennett C.E.O. YourPark Bristol & Bath.

Should you wish to be involved with the Academy contact GFAAcademy@keepbritaintidy.org

To check out the Green Flag Award Academy visit: https://www.greenflagaward.org/academy

Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity that has been working to improve the quality of the local environment for more than 70 years. The charity has a wealth of experience in working with local authorities and other duty bodies and has delivered the Green Flag Award for the past 16 years.

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