Eden Project

Shaping the future demands more than bold conversations – it requires the right voices to be in the room, especially those who will live with the outcomes. As young people are the leaders of tomorrow, and the inheritors of today’s decisions, last week we were delighted to see Anthropy UK's 2026 Emerging Leaders programme bringing young leaders into crucial national conversations with established leaders. The programme helped bridge generational gaps and cultivated diverse perspectives to ensure younger voices were embedded throughout last week’s national gathering. We were proud to see one of our Emerging Leaders, Charlotte Evans, join this year’s cohort, where she explored complex future challenges that require cross-generational collaboration. On the final day of Anthropy, this year’s Emerging Leaders came together, designed and voted on the clauses that will shape the United Britain Emerging Leaders Charter – a dynamic set of principles, commitments, and values that can guide a more united, inclusive, and resilient Britain. As a charity, we are committed to inspiring the next generation and over the past 25 years, we’ve reached more than a million young people through education programmes. Throughout Anthropy, we explored bold ideas and shared practical solutions, but we know the real impact happens after the national gathering when conversations turn into collaborations, and commitments turn into action. If Anthropy sparked ideas about how you can lead differently, we’re ready to discuss how you can be part of our story. Please get in touch with us at CorporatePartnerships@edenproject.com. #Anthropy #Anthropy26

⏰ Today at 8.30pm local time, it’s #EarthHour. Across the planet millions will be switching off their lights and taking action for the planet💡 🌎 The natural world is the ultimate life support system, producing fresh air, clean water, fertile soil, rich biodiversity, and a stable climate, and it has an awesome recycling system. The more plants, animals, fungi and microbes, the healthier the system. Today, we are facing an emergency with dire air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. We have broken our relationship with the natural world. But we are A PART of nature, not APART from nature. 🌿 25 years ago we dreamed big and took an old quarry at the end of its life, that had no soil, and transformed it into a thriving global garden – proof that it is possible to work with people and nature to heal the damage caused by human activity. We know restoration is possible, because we’ve done it. And we continue that work today. As an educational charity, we enrich life by inspiring hope and positive action for the planet by reconnecting people with the natural world. From our home in Cornwall, through to new projects across the UK and beyond, we deliver nature recovery, education and community programmes to enrich life and unearth wonder. So join us in taking small actions and working together for big change 💪 #BiggestHourForEarth

As Anthropy UK comes to a close, three days of discussions have left a clear impression that there is an appetite for real change.    Andy Jasper, CEO of the Eden Project said "As we approach the end of our fourth year partnering with and hosting Anthropy here in our world‑renowned global gardens, I’ve found myself reflecting both on the pride I feel in everything Eden has achieved over the last 25 years as well as the humility of seeing our own experts contributing alongside some of the UK’s most respected voices, from national figures shaping policy to grassroots innovators improving daily life."   Hosting these conversations at Eden adds powerful context. Surrounded by a living example of regeneration and possibility, the national gathering felt rooted in both optimism and action.    Now comes the important part: carrying the momentum, ideas and commitments beyond these three days and into what we do next. #Anthropy #Anthropy26 #UnitedFuture 

Day two at Anthropy UK built powerfully on the momentum of yesterday. Across the discussions, there’s been a strong call for long-term, cross-sector change. Andy Jasper, CEO of the Eden Project said "One of Anthropy’s great strengths is its ability to bring together voices who inspire action far beyond their own fields. Today’s conversations on nurturing a lifelong connection with nature – including the inspiring session where Eden’s Development Director Dan James joined naturalist and broadcaster Steve Backshall, wildlife presenter Lizzie Daly and Volvo Car UK's Managing Director, Nicole Melillo Shaw, to explore why early experiences matter and how nature can unlock innovation – showed the power of combining expertise with public influence to shift how the UK thinks about environmental responsibility." We look forward to building on today’s discussions in tomorrow’s conversations. #Anthropy #Anthropy26 #UnitedFuture

Day one at Anthropy UK has set the tone for the days ahead. Today there has been a clear sense of purpose, ambitious thinking, and a shared recognition that cross-sector collaboration is essential if we’re going to tackle the big challenges facing society, business and the planet. Andy Jasper, CEO of the Eden Project said "As we open Anthropy 2026 here for a fourth year, we’re proud to be doing so as we celebrate 25 years of the Eden Project. Throughout the day, there have been so many enriching discussions. For me it restores hope and agency in communities – whether here in Cornwall, in Morecambe, or in places navigating complex challenges and untapped potential. Hearing from others working with such determination and creativity has been a powerful reminder of what can happen when ideas and experience are exchanged openly. I’m energised by the momentum already building, and excited for two more days of energising conversations." If you’re at the national gathering too, remember to tag us in your reflections from today. #Anthropy #Anthropy26 #UnitedFuture

Today, we welcomed His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen to the Eden Project 🌿 During Their Majesties’ visit, we launched The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out, the nation’s biggest celebration of community, taking place on 5-8 June, and they also got the chance to try out one of our brand new Giant Marble Runs! As Royal Patron of The Big Lunch since 2013, Her Majesty The Queen met leaders from the Pears Foundation and Co-op, who are all helping to make the events possible this June. Their Majesties also found out more about this year’s collaboration with The Big Help Out which launched on their Coronation weekend in 2023, and calls on people across the UK to take action where they live. Topping off their extra-special visit was a celebratory Big Lunch, with around 80 guests invited to enjoy a bite to eat and get to know each other better within our world-famous Mediterranean Biome. Peter Stewart LVO, Eden Project Director Emeritus responsible for The Big Lunch, said: “As we mark 25 years since the pioneering charity Eden Project opened its doors – this visit from Their Majesties is truly the icing on the cake in a year set to be full of celebrations. It was an honour to share the impact of Eden’s work over the past quarter century with them and to look ahead to the charity’s future with the launch of The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out, which we hope will encourage the whole nation to get in the party spirit by taking action and making a positive difference where they live this year on 5-8 June!” This extra special visit ended with Their Majesties cutting a spectacular cake depicting a street scene. In a tender nod to Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the Eden Project in 2021, the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE CStJ, presented a large ceremonial sword to cut the cake. Now it’s time for you to get involved too. From organising a bite to eat with neighbours to spending the day lending a hand at a local charity, find ideas and get free resources at thebigdo.com

Where did the idea for the Eden Project come from? It’s one of the questions we’re asked time and time again. So, we’ve handed the mic over to our co-founder, Sir Tim Smit, to tell the story, in his words. This week, we celebrated 25 years since the Eden Project in Cornwall first opened its doors to the public. Come along and see how we've grown! Thank you The Lost Gardens of Heligan for being part of our story 🌿 🎥 Archive footage: Anna Meneer

Connect with the Eden Project’s leaders in the Anthropy UK app 📲 We will once again be hosting Anthropy next week (25–27 March), bringing more than 2,000 leaders, innovators and changemakers to Cornwall during our 25th anniversary month. There’s no better time than now to add your voice to this year's National Gathering, and you can even get started before you arrive in Cornwall. If you’re joining us here, remember to connect with Anthropy’s guests, as well as Eden’s own experts and partners, through the app, and start a conversation today. With more than 900 organisations from across the UK represented, Anthropy has become one of the most significant cross-sector gatherings. The event will see leaders ask critical questions, form bold collaborations and start turning ideas into action. As a charity, we inspire wonder, hope and action by reconnecting people with the natural world. Twenty-five years ago, our world-renowned global garden was a sterile clay pit; today it is a living landscape full of life. Our Biomes and Outdoor Gardens in Cornwall remain a symbol of regeneration and demonstrate what can be done if people who want to make a difference get together. #Anthropy #Anthropy26 #UnitedFuture

Today our 300-voice dawn chorus rang out in celebration of our 25th birthday 🎉 Our extra-special celebrations brought together schools, volunteers, early supporters and long standing friends. Together they reminded us of something simple but profound: when we feel connected to the natural world, we look after each other and the planet better. That belief built Eden – and it’s the belief that will carry us into our next chapter. We’ve had an incredible day sharing this milestone moment with you all. The morning started with an unforgettable performance from a 300 strong choir, bringing together singers from 16 community groups across Cornwall. The choir’s uplifting performance featured a specially written song created by Eden people past and present, with the celebration drawn to a close by Cornwall My Home, performed with the song’s original writer, Cornish folk musician Harry Glasson. Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, said, “Eden has always been a people story and the support we’ve had from so many institutions, organisations, individuals, communities and volunteers who backed this wild dream – gives me goosebumps even now and I hope they feel proud of their part in its creation. What you see here today is the power of collective imagination, made real. To see it makes you dream about what else we could achieve.” Since we first opened on 17 March 2001, our charity has become a global leader in environmental and ecological regeneration and inspiration. Today’s celebrations came just as our new Impact Report findings highlighted the scale of our legacy which shows we’ve welcomed more than 25 million visitors and generated £6.8 billion in total economic impact for the South West. From our earliest days, we have been defined by bold ambition and innovation and this spirit is set to shape our next 25 years too. Thank you for all your support – we really couldn't have done it without you.

Following the Spring Statement, and just ahead of our 25th anniversary and English Tourism Week, our newly published Impact Report has just been delivered to 10 Downing Street by our CEO Andy Jasper and VisitBritain/VisitEngland's CEO Patricia Yates, to demonstrate and inspire confidence in the value of investing in bold projects to deliver significant, long-term sustainable impact. The landmark Report showcases how the Eden Project has generated more than £6.8 billion for the local economy in the South West over the past 25 years, and we believe that long-term investment by the government in people, place and nature-based regeneration is essential to unlocking Britain’s full potential. Tourism is one of England’s most important economic sectors, supporting hundreds of thousands of businesses, and over two million jobs, and we are proud about what we’ve achieved within the industry over the past 25 years. The Eden Project is a blueprint for how a bold cultural and environmental project can become a nationally significant economic asset – supporting jobs and driving regional growth and tourism across the UK. We believe our Impact Report demonstrates that daring to dream big can lead to regeneration, nature recovery and economic growth – because we're living proof. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e6Kie683