JMI Greenote Award 2024 Winners Announced: Denmark’s “Children’s Climate Song Project” Raises their Voices for Change!

We are delighted to announce the winners of the JMI Greenote Award 2024, recognizing inspiring music initiatives from around the world that engage young people in climate action. This year's top honors go to the innovative Danish project “Klimafolkemødet – Børnenes Klimasang” (Climate Folk Meeting – The Children’s Climate Song).

Created by Levende Musik i Skolen (LMS), in partnership with the Klimafolkemødet, the project involved Danish schoolchildren from across the country in creating a powerful musical statement about climate awareness. Catbird’s Billie Koppel and Frank Hasselstrøm crafted the song’s memorable melody and catchy chorus, while thousands of students penned original verses, voicing their hopes and concerns for the planet's future.

Over several months, LMS guided schools with a structured songwriting curriculum, complete with easy-to-follow materials, audio resources, and clear instructions, empowering teachers and students to express their creativity and engagement with climate issues.

The initiative culminated in a powerful collective performance at the annual Klimafolkemødet event in Middelfart, Denmark, on 30 August 2024, where selected students joined Catbird on stage to perform their original lyrics in a heartfelt display of youth solidarity and climate advocacy. The vibrant energy of young voices, combined with Catbird’s dynamic presence, captivated audiences and underscored the role music plays in inspiring collective environmental responsibility. As students traveled from all corners of Denmark to sing their own verses, their performance became a moving testament to the urgency and optimism young people bring to climate activism.

Jury members praised the project for brilliantly combining music education with climate awareness, calling it “a profound example of youth-driven change through music” and applauding its ability to foster creativity, dialogue, and action amongst schoolchildren.

JMI warmly congratulates LMS, Klimafolkemødet, Catbird, and all participating schools for their outstanding contribution to climate advocacy through music.

Learn more about the winning project and watch highlights from their inspiring performance here:

https://vimeo.com/1006553974.

JMI Greenote Award:

The JMI Greenote Award recognises music-based projects worldwide that empower young people to take active roles in addressing climate change and environmental issues. Every year, the Award celebrates creativity, innovation, and youth leadership in advocating for a sustainable future through music. Previous winners include US music activist AY Young (2022) and Kenyan child prodigy Shanariha Evans (2023).