"The inaugural CEN Academy in 2022 was a great chance for me to further my knowledge of the conservative environmental debate and meet with like-minded young conservative environmentalists. The Academy was more than just the learning though - the sessions such as the Dragons Den panel were a chance to work in a team, formulate an idea and argue the case. Meeting with a Defra Minister and going on a local field trip were great chances to see environmentalism at work, outside of the classroom. Having been introduced to CEN at the academy and the great work that is being done, I'm pleased to now work in CEN's climate team."

"CEN Academy is a very informative and interesting experience. The talks with the MPs give you an insight into life in the government and the work that goes on behind the scenes. The activities set gave us a good amount of time to come up with valuable ideas on how to improve the environment and delivery. Working as a team helped boost our confidence and get to know each other better. It was good to meet like-minded individuals who are both passionate about the environment and the Conservative Party like me and it helped give me valuable interpersonal skills that I can take forward with me into my career."

"CEN Academy was a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded conservatives who all share a concern for our environment. It tackles the commonly-held perception that environmentalism and conservatism have been artificially welded together, arguing that not only is environmentalism deep rooted in conservative thinking, but that the race to net zero presents new opportunities to further the conservative causes of pragmatism, free markets, and economic growth. If you want to be equipped with the tools to make these arguments, I cannot recommend CEN Academy enough."

"The CEN Academy was an incredible experience which provided me with an excellent grounding in conservative environmentalism. The team dispelled any nervousness and made me feel very welcome as soon as I stepped onto the campus, and I made lots of friends from all across the country that I’m still in contact with today. The timetable was finely tuned and the talks and workshops covered a breadth of fascinating topics. Overall, the CEN Academy is a marvellous opportunity that I will always reflect fondly upon. I can’t recommend applying enough."

"CEN Academy fundamentally taught me about how to be a strong advocate of conservative environmentalism, from how to communicate our ideals, to how we can better understand the complexity of climate-related news, concerns about which we must often respond to when we’re campaigning across the country as activists."

"I really enjoyed the CEN Academy. I loved staying in the Oxford college and also having the opportunity to explore the local area as well. I really enjoyed the talks and tasks regarding energy policy and biodiversity. I loved getting to meet fellow young conservatives who are also passionate about the environment."

"My time at the inaugural CEN Academy in 2022 not only introduced me to themes in climate policy and communication, but it also allowed me to deeply engage in these themes with colleagues through discussions, policy pitches, presentations and excursions. I left the academy more confident of my professional abilities and ready to begin my MA and career in political communication, while making some new connections along the way. I couldn't recommend CEN Academy enough!"

"CEN Academy was a lovely couple of days for me. It's a great chance to meet people from across the country, discover some of the less talked about aspects of the fight against climate change, and hear from some of the cogs that keep government turning. But most importantly, it's good fun."