What we do / Community Climate & Nature Action / Capacity building programme
Capacity building programme
Supporting community organisations to take action on climate and nature with and for their communities.
The capacity building programme is 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.
Participants receive funding and tailored support to co-produce community climate and nature action plans and start putting them into action.
The plans can then be used to influence policy and attract funding. The programme supports deep and inclusive community engagement and action on issues that matter to local people.
Our insights report sets out some of the learnings from the programme and shares ways that it could be replicated in other places.
Image © Evoke Pictures
Expansion across the west of England
We’ve recently recruited six community organisations from across the West of England to participate in the project’s capacity building programme. Participants will benefit from £30,000 funding and a tailored programme of support to co-produce community climate and nature action plans and start putting their plan priorities into action.
Image © Southmead Development Trust
Read the community climate and nature action plans
Bedminster
Windmill Hill City Farm led an in-depth community engagement process with Bedminster residents to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their local community.
Brislington
Bricks led an in-depth community engagement process with Brislington and St Anne’s residents to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their local community.
Bristol’s Disabled people
In 2021-22 Bristol Disability Equality Forum led an in-depth community engagement process with Disabled people living in Bristol to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their community. In 2025 the plan was updated by the Climate and Disability Forum as part of the Climate and Disability programme.
Communities across Bristol
In 2024 a new inclusive transport vision was launched to champion the low carbon transport priorities in Bristol’s first community climate action plans. Developed through engagement with community and transport sector partners, the vision advocates for the transport needs of Bristol’s community of Disabled people, refugees and migrants, and people from parts of the city that are often left out of transport decision making.
This is a transport vision with a difference. It’s about being constructive and amplifying the transport views and needs of diverse communities across the city.
Cricket fans
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club & The Next Test led an in-depth community engagement process with cricket fans and members in the region to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their community.
Easton & Lawrence Hill
Eastside Community Trust led an in-depth community engagement process with Easton & Lawrence Hill residents to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their local community.
Hartcliffe & Withywood
Heart of BS13 led an in-depth community engagement process with Hartcliffe and Withywood residents to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their local community.
Hillfields
Hillfields Community Garden led an in-depth community engagement process with Hillfields residents to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their local community.
Hotwells & Cliftonwood
Hotwells and Cliftonwood Community Association led an in-depth community engagement process with Hotwells, Harbourside and Cliftonwood residents to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their local community.
Knowle West
Knowle West Media Centre led an in-depth community engagement process with residents in Knowle West to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their local community.
Lawrence Weston
Ambition Lawrence Weston led an in-depth community engagement process with Lawrence Weston residents to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their local community.
Lockleaze
Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust led an in-depth community engagement process with Lockleaze residents to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their local community.
Older people
Bristol Older People’s Forum led an in-depth community engagement process with people aged 55+ living in Bristol to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their local community.
Refugees & migrants
Ashley Community Housing led an in-depth community engagement process with refugees and migrants living in Bristol to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their community.
Shirehampton
Shirehampton Action led an in-depth community engagement process with Shirehampton residents to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their community.
Southmead
Southmead Development Trust led an in-depth community engagement process with Southmead residents to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their local community.
Underrepresented creatives
Rising Arts Agency led an in-depth community engagement process with underrepresented creatives aged 18-30 living in Bristol to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their community.
Women from marginalised communities
One Green Kitchen led an in-depth community engagement process with women aged 40+ from marginalised communities living in Bristol to coproduce their community climate action plan, which includes a unique set of climate priorities and actions for their community.
Putting plans into action
Through their involvement in the project, community organisations are developing and delivering innovative climate and nature projects responding to specific priorities identified in their community plans.
Projects have included working with a Community Ecologist to rewild Lockleaze, a closed-loop household food waste collection in BS13, and giving residents the opportunity and skills to grow and cook their own food in Lawrence Weston.
Other local community climate and nature projects which are ready for scaling through investment and have also been included in a ‘community prospectus’ for the city.
Image © Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust
Climate and Disability
In 2022 the world’s first community climate action plan made by and for Disabled people was launched as part of our Community Climate & Nature Action Project.
Throughout 2024 and 2025 our Climate and Disability programme worked with Disabled people on the priorities identified in the plan.
We’ve developed a range of outputs from the programme, promoting climate action that is inclusive of, and accessible to Bristol’s community of Disabled people.
In 2026 we’re commissioning a Disabled Person’s Organisation to engage with the Disabled community across the West of England region and expand the existing plan priorities.
Image © ShamPhat Photography
Using creativity to engage people in climate and nature action
Arts and culture have the power to engage and inspire more people to take climate and nature action. We work with local artists to create films, poems, and theatre, to break down complex topics and connect with people on an emotional level.
Creativity also has an important role in community engagement, helping to make the climate conversation fun, and more relevant and accessible.
We commission creatives at the community, city and regional scale to support engagement with climate and nature. Our insights report shares our approach to working with local artists, the benefits, and our learnings.
Image © Jahiem Williams
See our creative collection
We’ve gathered a collection of films showcasing the variety of ways we’ve used creativity to engage more people in the climate conversation.
“We are excited by the project’s use of arts and culture to engage more people in climate and nature action. Not only does this approach harness the region’s talent to reach wider audiences but also recognises the expertise and talent of the sector in communicating about complex and difficult subjects.”
Elise Hurcombe
Arts Development Manager, Bristol City Council