Engaging Communities and Organisations across Herefordshire in Energy Reduction and Environmental awareness

We are very pleased and excited to announce the start of a new project called Ecohere, a unique partnership that will work with rural communities on sustainability issues.

The evidence we have found suggests that there is a real willingness from many individuals and organisations to become more sustainable: reduce their energy use, reduce their carbon footprint, save money on fuel bills and to become more sustainable in their everyday lives, but that the support, advice and guidance on this is not always easy to access.

ECOHERE aims to address this need by providing support and advice - through the support we can offer directly; by researching and providing access to available resources & expertise; and by drawing on the skills and knowledge already in local communities.

Sustainability from the 'ground up' builds resilience from within communities, enhances skills and togetherness – and ultimately contributes to a more sustainable future for all – both locally and globally.

How will Ecohere help to achieve this?

We will work with communities over a number of months, to develop Sustainability Action Plans . Every community is unique, so each SAP will reflect the distinctive needs, aspirations and priorities of the community that creates it. This plan may therefore eventually include a wide range of possible intentions (for example, to open a community shop, to develop some local land for community allotments, or to increase homeowners' knowledge and skills in reducing energy bills). As well as helping the production of a plan, we will provide support to enable communities to take these plans forward.

The aspiration of Ecohere is to enhance the capabilities of individuals and organisations in local communities, to prepare for their future. There is a wealth of skills, expertise and best practice in the county. Ecohere will serve to communicate this excellent work to the wider Herefordshire community, create networks of mutual benefit and provide tailored services for individual communities, depending on their specific needs and aspirations.

Who is involved in Ecohere?

Ecohere is funded by the European Social Fund LEADER programme and supported by Herefordshire Council. The Bulmer Foundation, the accountable body, is also proving resource and is partnering with Community First to deliver the project.

The project is also supported by New Leaf and will work very closely with the New Leaf team. Rebecca Semple (Sustainable Community Development Officer) and Mary Burton (Ecohere Co-ordinator) will offer community-based support for communities, businesses, individuals, parish councils and voluntary groups.

For more information, contact us using the contact details below.

Rebecca: rebeccas@comfirst.org.uk

Mary: mary@herefordshirenewleaf.org.uk