Project Green Challenge 2016 is a global call to action for college and high school students to transition from conventional to conscious living. PGC engages youth by uniting them in a commitment to cultivate a healthy and just planet and is comprised of 30 sustainability-themed challenges in 30 days throughout the month of October. Each challenge delves into a different theme (body, food, labeling, fair trade, energy, etc.) and offers up to four challenge opportunities at varying levels of engagement. Participants receive points based upon completing the challenges and the top 20 daily submissions are awarded prizes. Since its inception in 2011, PGC has given many thousands of powerful, dynamic, passionate young leaders from around the world an opportunity to step up to "be the change" in their own lives, school campuses, and local communities. Sign Up!

Each morning at 6am Pacific Daylight Time from October 1st - 31st, registered participants receive an email with the day's challenge (challenges are also posted on the PGC homepage). Participants must complete the challenge tasks within 24 hours. Each challenge offers four sequential options: green, greener, greenest, and extra credit. Participants can partake in as many as they wish, acquiring points and competing for prizes along the way. The challenges and all supporting resources, tips, facts, green glossary, and Green Guide are available online for further learning. Participants will be asked to share their responses to challenge tasks with direct uploads of photos, videos, and text to this site, as well as across TG's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. Participants who complete the 30-day Challenge will be invited to apply for the Challenge Finals.

Up to 16 finalists from the global pool of participants will be flown to San Francisco in late November to attend a four-day eco summit, where they will have the opportunity to interact with esteemed environmental leaders, present their experiences from the 30-day Challenge, and work together to create innovative platforms for social action. Their ideas will be further developed by the students and mentors and implemented by Turning Green, its partners, and youth nationwide in the coming year. Based on presentations by the finalists, a panel of judges will select the Project Green Challenge Champion. The winner will receive a one-of-a-kind Grand Prize package worth more than $12,000, as well as the opportunity to work with Turning Green and its partners in the coming year. Finalists also receive a fabulous prize package.

Who can participate in Project Green Challenge?
Our target demographic is college and high school students, and they are the only ones eligible for daily prizes and the Challenge Finals. However, the Challenge is open to everyone. The more people participate, the faster our global community grows.

What is an example of a daily challenge?
Each challenge is built around a unique theme. Specific challenges will not be released until day-of.

Where did the idea for the Challenge come from?
The mother-daughter duo behind Turning Green is also behind this initiative. Judi Shils and Erin Schrode developed the idea in 2011 alongside a brilliant team of students, partners and sponsors.

What does Project Green Challenge aim to accomplish?
The Challenge aims to empower and mobilize youth to action, inspiring them to transition their daily lives from conventional to conscious and understanding the significance of each choice we make every day.

Do I have to be eco conscious to sign up and participate?
Nope! The Challenge aims to inspire a transition from conventional thinking to a more conscious perspective. Regardless of your current knowledge and lifestyle practices, if you are open to change, ready to learn, and want to make a difference, you are the perfect candidate for PGC!

How do I become a Challenge Finalist
Contestants that participate in the 30-day Challenge can apply for the Challenge Finals with a short application and video that demonstrates their personal transition from conventional to conscious. A panel of judges will review each application and choose up to 16 students to be flown to the PGC Finals in late November.

What happens after the 30 days?
We hope that the Challenge will demonstrate to everyone how personal changes can have a big impact on one’s own health and that of the planet. If one month can inspire conscious thinking and responsible action, imagine the impact of a lifetime of mindful living.

How do I share my progress and hear about the experiences of others?
Participants share daily experiences on the Challenge website via text, photos, videos, and full integration into social networks.

How can my school be involved?
Bring PGC to your high school, college, or student organization simply by signing up! Many high schools, colleges, and universities are already on board with the Challenge after the success of previous years. Outreach includes student government, eco clubs, sustainability leaders, Greek systems, campus newspapers and local media outlets, community service organizations, national PTAs, NAIS, Net Impact, and other youth-centered forums. Sign up and spread PGC far and wide!

Has Project Green Challenge ever happened before?
2016 is the sixth year of PGC! We hope that this will be the biggest, most productive year yet, and that the young leaders who emerge from it will have an extraordinary impact for years to come.

What happens at the PGC Finals?
At this 4-day, educational summit, up to 16 finalists will have a full head-to-toe eco makeover, the opportunity to interact with and learn from esteemed leaders, present experiences from the 30-day Challenge, and work to create platforms for social action. Past speakers have included: Annie Leonard, President and Founder of the Story of Stuff Project; Adam Werbach, Co-Founder of yerdle.com; Gavin Newsom, Lt. Governor of California; and many more. See the full list of last year's speakers.

Does it cost anything to participate?
Absolutely not! Participating in Project Green Challenge is completely free and open to anyone.

Why should I get involved?
There are many reasons to get involved! In just one month, you will:

• Learn the benefits of eco living through full immersion. You'll come out with a new, more conscious lens through which to live your life. 
• Become a leader in your school or community’s environmental initiatives just as the school year is getting underway. PGC offers tips and resources to guide you.
• Reduce your carbon footprint. Making a difference for the planet begins with individual actions.
• Discover which topics speak to you so that you can continue creating change long after the Challenge comes to an end.

What companies and organizations are involved?
We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of a strong consortium of leading companies, non-profit organizations, and media outlets. Browse the Partners tab to learn more.

Are there prizes for every Challenge?
Each day, participants who complete the Greener and Greenest challenges are eligible to win one of up to 20 eco prize packages. The deeper you delve into each day's challenge, the better your chances are of winning! And don’t forget about the fantastic Challenge Finalist and Grand Prize packages.

Does Project Green Challenge have a social media presence?
Yes, and we want to hear from you! Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. We track the conversation around PGC with #PGC2016 across all platforms!