Free training to become a green ambassador
23 February 2007
Every Action Counts (EAC) is an innovative programme funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and delivered by a coalition of national charities which includes the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA - the national voice of local voluntary and community sector infrastructure in England, of which RVA is a member).
EAC will encourage and support voluntary groups to work on issues such as:
· energy, transport and climate change
· waste minimisation and recycling
· local environmental improvements
· fair trade and ethical shopping.
The programme includes:
· A scheme to recruit hundreds of local 'community champions' (see below).
· A website
www.everyactioncounts.org.uk which will encourage thousands of community organisations to sign up and take action.
· A training programme to help community workers engage with environmental issues.
· Promotion of 'good practice' by community groups.
· Online resources and support materials.
Taking part EAC's message is that any group, however small, and whether urban or rural, can make a difference, and the project aims to involve some 14,000 community groups over its lifetime. Groups can register with EAC to:
· get access to online toolkits and other resources
· evaluate how future-friendly their group is
· log actions the group has taken to become more sustainable and track their progress.
Groups that register receive a bumper 'Community Pack' containing useful resources to get started on the road to sustainable development, and a fun game to begin the process of self evaluation. You can register your group via:
www.navca.org.uk/eac Please say your group heard of EAC via a NAVCA member.
Community champions
EAC is looking for over 1,000 local community activists to lead change in their neighbourhoods. Prospective champions receive two days of free, accredited training, after which the new champions will commit to meeting with a small number of local community groups/clubs, to help them take stock of their current environmental impact and produce an action plan. Champions will have access to resources including toolkits and a regular newsletter. Support is also available via the EAC website,
www.everyactioncounts.org.uk and travel and reasonable expenses will be covered.
EAC is looking for potential champions now. If you are interested in becoming a community champion, you can sign up via
www.navca.org.uk/eac Please say you heard of EAC via a NAVCA member. Further information from the EAC section of the NAVCA website
www.navca.org.uk/eac or
www.everyactioncounts.org.uk
