There are so many advantages to working on climate action with a group of like-minded people:
- Information and enthusiasm can be shared
- Wider sources of funding can be approached
- The workload on larger projects can be planned and borne together
- Technical and publicity skills can be shared, along with local contacts and facilities
- Greater local recognition can be given to your efforts – hopefully bringing in more group members
- It can simply be more fun!
Photo courtesy Co-operatives UK
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS
A selection of larger projects suitable for community groups can be found here. Some of the detail in the descriptions relates to what your parish, town or community council can bring to the project.
WORKING WITH YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL
Some parish, town or community councils may have already set up a climate or environmental working party with local residents. Even without that, councils may be able to:
- Spread the news about what your group is doing
- Provide meeting facilities
- Provide funding through “Section 137” powers to support anything that benefits the local community
- Provide a corporate structure to prevent you having to create a legal entity with its own constitution and bank account
Your local council’s website should give you contact details for the parish or town clerk and your local councillors, give them a call.
EXISTING GROUPS:
If you are part of an already established group, there may be particular advice and good practice available:
CREATING A NEW GROUP
If you are wanting to establish a new local group with its own capabilities, advice is available from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO). The advice includes:
- Confirming your group’s objectives
- Choosing a legal structure for your group
- Developing a governing document for how you operate as a group
You may also be able to get practical advice from other local groups or national bodies about:
- Involving your community to get new members
- Sources of funding – but see some information here
- Other support such as from local businesses
- Linking to local networks that share your interests – see some links here