Building capacity for community climate and nature action
Our Community Climate Action Project’s capacity building programme has supported 17 organisations to work with their local communities to co-produce climate action plans and to take action on climate and nature. The latest six plans are launching this week and today we’re sharing insights from the programme in a new report.
The capacity building programme was designed to recognise community expertise, and to support and equip diverse local ‘non climate specialist’ community organisations to develop knowledge, confidence and resilience in relation to climate and nature issues. This new insights report sets out some of the learnings from the programme and share ways that it could be replicated in other places.
“This process has been transformative for us. It’s given us a sense of direction and resourced us to do the deep-thinking about how to further embed climate justice in our community work for years to come”
Euella Jackson, Rising Arts Agency
Participation in the ‘learning and mentoring programme’ involved a bursary, as well as a series of free workshops, peer mentoring and resources to support more communities on their climate action journey, culminating in a final output of their community climate action plan. The first six community organisations launched their plans in 2022 after a year of workshops and community engagement, followed by the second cohort in April 2024. The third cohort are launching their plans at our Celebrating Community Climate Action Partnership Gathering on Wednesday.
Following the launch of the community climate action plans, there is an activation phase where through facilitated support and connection, the aim is to make priorities and actions identified in the plans a reality.
Read the capacity building programme insights report for an overview of the process and impact as well as our top tips.
The capacity building programme is a key part of the wider Community Climate and Nature Action Model, a place-based approach for a just transition. The model harnesses existing social and community infrastructure to support both community and climate resilience. It recognises community and voluntary sector expertise and positions communities as key agents of change.
The Community Climate Action project aligns well with the council’s just transition approach, including both how we engage with citizens about environmental issues and ensuring climate action at a city scale does not exacerbate existing inequalities rather reducing them. The project has had direct, positive impacts on community engagement and empowerment as well as practical climate and nature action in Bristol.’
Martin Fodor, Chair of Environment and Sustainability Committee, Bristol City Council
The capacity building report is part of a series of learnings we are sharing from the National Lottery funded Community Climate Action Project over the coming months. Make sure you’re signed up to hear from us, and in the meantime check out our resource library.
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