Discover the impactful role of community-led nature-based grants in fostering resilience. CLEVER Cities’ Making Space for Nature Community Fund in South Thamesmead, London, exemplifies this by empowering locals with small funds for transformative projects. Co-creation, a key element, involves diverse stakeholders in decision-making, fostering effective solutions reflective of community aspirations. Nature-based grants not only build skills but also create cooperative networks crucial for community resilience. From art installations to organic gardening, these projects showcase community creativity, forging closer bonds and a greener, happier environment.

—

This article was written by Dulcie Ruttley-Dornan and Sean Bradley

Community nature-based grant schemes are an innovative way for communities to learn to lead the change in their neighbourhoods. Having access to funds, even in relatively small amounts, enables local people to realise the projects they see as most valuable, empowering them to bring their ideas to life. This results not only in impressive transformations and countless co-benefits, as outlined below, but also contributes to an increased sense of ownership and confidence in stepping into the public sphere as agents for positive change. Furthermore, leading small local projects allows people to develop new skills, particularly with respect to the coordination and organisation needed to establish the local connections that can support resilience.  

An example of this has been CLEVER Cities’ Making Space for Nature Community Fund, delivered as part of an effort to investigate the relationship between co-created nature-based solutions and improvement in local health and well-being. CLEVER Cities, funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme and supported in its delivery by Groundwork London, Peabody, the Greater London Authority, and the Young Foundation, has been spearheading community-led design in South Thamesmead, London.

Nature-based solutions are planned and designed natural features, such as rain gardens, green walls and other green spaces, implemented in a way that can help address urban challenges. CLEVER Cities worked to position nature-based solutions as a means to improving public health, social cohesion, citizen security and increasing economic opportunities.

You might also like: What Are Nature-Based Solutions And How Can They Help Tackle the Climate Crisis?

Co-creation refers to the process of active participation of multiple stakeholders in decision making. Making Space for Nature has utilised this process of fostering diverse perspectives to generate insights, identify the community’s needs, and realise actions that are more reflective of the aspirations of local people and, as a result, lead to solutions that are more effective. 

Nature-based grants are a specific co-creation method with the highest levels of participation, as recipients have control over the process, including the organisation and management of volunteers and the administration of funds. This form of co-creation clearly demonstrates the collaborative nature of community-led regeneration, which can be an integral part of improving social cohesion and, in turn, helping to build more resilient communities. 

Nature-based grants programmes can: 

1. Encourage individuals and groups to become comfortable managing funds to initiate change in their community
2. Help local people deliver project ideas that are important to the community  

3. Lead individuals to engage with their own community to work together, share knowledge and skills and help each other
4. Involve community members in the decision making process for project selection.
5. Set up sharing and cooperative networks that are a key component of community resilience

Nature-based projects are often positive catalysts for bringing people together and they can combine well with local cultural expression ranging across a number of areas including green space improvement, nature art, dance and meditation and other well-being initiatives, foraging and food workshops and more. The creativity in communities is limitless. 

The Making Space for Nature community projects that Peabody and Groundwork London have fostered range across the spectrum, from art installations to organic gardening, to engaging children in outdoor activities, all of which, in some way, have helped to forge a closer connection within the community and with the local environment. Collectively, the projects have made a huge impact and received significant positive feedback, showing the power of people and nature in creating greener, happier communities. 

In short, programmes like the Making Space for Nature Community Fund use small, diverse actions to create stronger community connections and empower new advocates for positive local change. Project leaders, equipped with acquired skills and experience, demonstrate tangible results on the ground, countering apathy and the feeling of inaction. Grant programmes, by visibly illustrating effective change, lay the groundwork for more cohesive and integrated communities. 

This innovative programme hopes to serve as an inspiration and a tool for learning about nature-based solutions, co-creation and community grants as processes to lead the change in communities. To see some of the exciting projects undertaken in Thamesmead, you can check out the Making Space for Nature booklet. The diversity of the projects shown is only the beginning as future funding will integrate both greening and cultural grants. These represent only a few possible ideas for other communities, local authorities and landowners to adopt in their areas.

If you’re interested to know more about Groundwork London’s involvement with co-creation programmes, visit us here.

—

About the authors:

Dulcie Ruttley-Dornan is a writer and editor with over five years of experience producing strategic communications and campaigns in the not-for-profit sector. Both her personal and professional work is dedicated to creating positive social and environmental impact. Dulcie’s work focuses on volunteering and nature-based solutions as positive ways to connect communities and tackle social and environmental issues. Her portfolio consists of writing and editing articles, social media management, content creation and website development. Dulcie is a lifelong volunteer, having led development projects around the world, including Nepal and the Caribbean, she is a dedicated environmental activist and supporter of intersectional feminism.

Sean Bradley is a Sustainable Urban Designer focused on the development of healthy, socially cohesive neighbourhoods that act as the core of future sustainable cities. He is the CLEVER Cities Programme Manager for Groundwork London leading the community-based approaches for the collaborative design and implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) that bring multiple benefits to communities and ecosystems. He is also a coordinator of Pathway 06 of the UNFCCC programme Resilience Frontiers: Healthy Cities: (Eco)systemic Approaches that focus on innovative and transformative solutions critical to the development of healthy and resilient communities facing the challenges of preparing for and dealing with climate change.

Featured image: Richard Hearld Photography

You might also like: CLEVER Cities: Building Trust in Communities for Sustainable Collaboration

The post Nature-Based Grants as a Catalyst for Resilient Communities   appeared first on Earth.Org.

In the dynamic landscape of community engagement, the CLEVER Cities programme in London has been a pioneering force since 2018, spearheading integrated urban design and nature-based solutions in South Thamesmead, an area in south-east London. As co-creation evolves into collaborative governance, the programme, led by a consortium including Groundwork London, the Greater London Authority, Peabody, and the Young Foundation, navigates the complexities of stakeholder involvement. This article delves into the critical role of trust-building in community engagement, drawing insights from the CLEVER Cities initiative and offering essential strategies to foster genuine collaboration and overcome historical skepticism.

—

This article was written by Dulcie Ruttley-Dornan and Sean Bradley

In the realm of community engagement, projects vary in size and duration, ranging from short-term endeavours to ongoing, multi-year initiatives and the co-creation component of these can evolve into collaborative governance structures over time. Critical to the early stages of co-creation is the meticulous analysis of context and the assembly of stakeholders. Understanding the nuances of the core communities and organisations involved in a project is integral, as these entities transition from historically top-down, command-and-control methodologies to more horizontally-organised models.

In certain contexts, participatory processes may be novel, while in others, prior encounters with development projects and municipal services may have fostered scepticism or apathy. Building trust within communities and mitigating negative perceptions necessitates time and a strategic approach.

Since 2018, the London CLEVER Cities programme has been at the forefront of co-creating integrated urban design and nature-based solutions in South Thamesmead. This initiative has explored diverse methods to engage stakeholders, both in intensive project development and broader public consultations. Facilitated by a partnership that includes Groundwork London, the Greater London Authority, Peabody, and the Young Foundation, the programme has amassed invaluable experience in community-led design processes while encountering varying levels of community receptivity.

More on the topic: CLEVER Cities: Building Urban Resilience Through Community-Led Decision Making

From these experiences, it is evident that building trust is paramount in all engagement contexts. To overcome a culture of participation characterised by scepticism and lack of trust, consider the following strategies:

1. Know your community & establish relationships

Gain a full-rounded understanding of the local community, prioritising the establishment of relationships through support of local groups and active participation in events.

2. Provide meaningful opportunities to contribute

Demonstrate a willingness to share power, engaging stakeholders at the highest levels. Navigate local institutional rigidity constructively and create an environment for early and frequent community input.

3. Work transparently with good communication and feedback

Ensure project information is accessible, and decision-making processes are transparent. Foster systemic and focused communication, promoting a general understanding of root issues. Follow stakeholder contributions with comprehensive feedback.

4. Help build community, capabilities, and confidence

Strengthen local networks by supporting collective goals. Facilitate the evolution of informal social groups into structured, empowered, and connected entities. Provide opportunities for knowledge exchange between community members and the technical team.

5. Overcome distrust and apathy with quick wins

Address past issues by consistently demonstrating progress in resolving local concerns. Identify and celebrate quick wins, establishing periodic milestones for collective celebration and a sense of accomplishment.

6. Work towards diversity of perspective

Highlight the value of representative diversity in perspectives. Forge partnerships that encompass a wide range of community experiences.

While it might not be possible to use all these strategies in every project, each helps bring the co-creation team together and reduces initial community resistance. Aim for a level of acceptance that lets the community assess the project based on its merits and without preconceived ideas.

In light of common superficial consultations and projects that falter before implementation, understanding and addressing past experiences becomes imperative. Take the time to comprehend the local culture of participation, rectify previous errors, and cultivate genuine relationships of trust with the community. This approach ensures that projects are assessed based on their potential to genuinely enhance the quality of life for community members.

You might also like: 5 Reasons Why Conservation Efforts Need to Support Community Livelihoods in the Decade Ahead

—

About the authors:

Dulcie Ruttley-Dornan is a writer and editor with over five years of experience producing strategic communications and campaigns in the not-for-profit sector. Both her personal and professional work is dedicated to creating positive social and environmental impact. Dulcie’s work focuses on volunteering and nature-based solutions as positive ways to connect communities and tackle social and environmental issues. Her portfolio consists of writing and editing articles, social media management, content creation and website development. Dulcie is a lifelong volunteer, having led development projects around the world, including Nepal and the Caribbean, she is a dedicated environmental activist and supporter of intersectional feminism.

Sean Bradley is a Sustainable Urban Designer focused on the development of healthy, socially cohesive neighbourhoods that act as the core of future sustainable cities. He is the CLEVER Cities Programme Manager for Groundwork London leading the community-based approaches for the collaborative design and implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) that bring multiple benefits to communities and ecosystems. He is also a coordinator of Pathway 06 of the UNFCCC programme Resilience Frontiers: Healthy Cities: (Eco)systemic Approaches that focus on innovative and transformative solutions critical to the development of healthy and resilient communities facing the challenges of preparing for and dealing with climate change.

Featured image: Richard Herald Photography

You might also like: What Are the Most Important Features of Sustainable Cities and Society?

The post CLEVER Cities: Building Trust in Communities for Sustainable Collaboration appeared first on Earth.Org.

Like many other cities, London must enhance the quality of life for its residents, preserve its local environment, and build a more resilient community to cope with the impacts of climate change. While the solution is not simple, developing socially cohesive neighbourhoods is a crucial starting point to address many of the challenges we face today and the goal of European-funded CLEVER Cities. Read on to learn more about the project.

—

This article was written by Dulcie Ruttley-Dornan and Sean Bradley

The concept of governance is closely linked to social cohesion and the sense of ownership that individuals have over their respective parts of the city. Community-led decision-making plays an essential role in this. The intention is for residents and their representatives to manage their communities and foster supportive relationships, which are fundamental qualities for a community dealing with change.

CLEVER Cities is a European-funded urban regeneration project supporting community-led action. The project supports local citizens to co-design the regeneration of urban areas to make them greener and healthier and explores how communities in London, Hamburg, and Milan can build governance structures through co-creation. The process varies across different cities and neighbourhoods, with varying levels of readiness. 

In Thamesmead, southeast London, CLEVER Cities has been leading the co-design and co-create process to shape current and future nature-based solutions and work with schools and community networks to help people better connect with nature. The co-creation involved forming a loose network of community groups and stakeholders, who partnered with a team of experts at Peabody – a not-for-profit housing association and Thamesmead’s main landowner – to lead, organise, and manage the process. By working together, the Thamesmead community and the professional team were able to leverage their respective strengths – local knowledge and administrative expertise. Engaging specialised organisations to guide and assist in the collaborative process in this way can provide valuable learning and success.

You might also like: 5 Urban Solutions to Tackle Climate Change in Cities

Co-governance involves engaging people from various sectors and specialities to promote more holistic decision-making processes. This typically requires capacity-building, especially in key roles and responsibilities, and developing the necessary skills to conduct effective meetings and formal administration. In some cases, such as crowdsourcing or grant applications, multiple community groups collaborating on a project can vote to undertake specific activities or roles. Local residents can learn by doing, with guidance and capacity building from specialised organisations helping to ensure the network’s survival in the future.

An outcome of the CLEVER Cities project has been the formation of a collaborative governance group, Community Design Collective, which has now become an integral part of the local governance system. This has resulted in a more equal and “horizontal” relationship, giving more power to community decision-making. This empowerment has further encouraged community involvement and a sense of ownership of shared spaces. 

This is a natural progression in the process, broadening and diversifying the perspectives of decision-makers and leading to active individuals taking on new roles and multiple responsibilities. A more horizontal approach to working relationships is integral to the development of co-governance.

Perhaps the most significant shift in governance is the move from solely “top-down” or “bottom-up” systems to a middle ground that involves more participation through horizontal systems. This requires stakeholders to collaborate with different urban agents, such as government officials and community groups, which strengthens the process and solidifies the benefits of community participation mentioned above.

To facilitate a collaborative process, it is important to provide various opportunities for engagement and to establish trust between stakeholders. This can be achieved by creating an open space for dialogue between communities and government, allowing for a more inclusive decision-making process. Learning how to make decisions collaboratively and in a connected manner, changing roles and responsibilities for the day-to-day management of community affairs, and increasing collaboration in decision-making are additional changes that can facilitate collaboration. Sharing information to facilitate transparency and better decision-making is also crucial, as it allows for a more informed and diverse range of perspectives to be considered. By building trust and increasing transparency, a culture of collaboration and openness can be fostered, leading to more effective decision-making processes and better outcomes for all involved.

By implementing these changes, communities can become more cooperative and develop more effective strategies to address the challenges they face. Improving their governance networks is a crucial element in creating more socially connected and liveable neighbourhoods. Together with changes in urban design and the development of rich cultural events and programming, governance begins to complete a holistic picture of a truly liveable neighbourhood. 

You might also like: NOMAD: An EU Project for Sustainable Agriculture Development

—

About the authors:

Dulcie Ruttley-Dornan is a writer and editor with over five years of experience producing strategic communications and campaigns in the not-for-profit sector. Both her personal and professional work is dedicated to creating positive social and environmental impact. Dulcie’s work focuses on volunteering and nature-based solutions as positive ways to connect communities and tackle social and environmental issues. Her portfolio consists of writing and editing articles, social media management, content creation and website development. Dulcie is a lifelong volunteer, having led development projects around the world, including Nepal and the Caribbean, she is a dedicated environmental activist and supporter of intersectional feminism.

Sean Bradley is a Sustainable Urban Designer focused on the development of healthy, socially cohesive neighbourhoods that act as the core of future sustainable cities. He is the CLEVER Cities Programme Manager for Groundwork London leading the community-based approaches for the collaborative design and implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) that bring multiple benefits to communities and ecosystems. He is also a coordinator of Pathway 06 of the UNFCCC programme Resilience Frontiers: Healthy Cities: (Eco)systemic Approaches that focus on innovative and transformative solutions critical to the development of healthy and resilient communities facing the challenges of preparing for and dealing with climate change.

The post CLEVER Cities: Building Urban Resilience Through Community-Led Decision Making appeared first on Earth.Org.