Groundwork London - INSS Conference ‘Communities and Connections’ 10 th June 2016 Hannah Kyrke-Smith, Programme Manager hannah.kyrke-smith@groundwork.org.uk The sole responsibility for the content of this presentation lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
Overview SPIRIT… • Is a partnership of 8 organisations in 8 EU member states. • Harnesses the strongly embedded social connections of faith- based organisations, training volunteers from these groups to help their communities change the way they use energy in the home, leading to measurable energy savings and CO 2 emissions reduction . • Recognises that tackling energy efficiency requires more than legislation and the provision of public services; it requires collaboration between individuals, the state and communities.
Faith community values Faith communities, regardless of the faith in question, have a number of strengths and assets which give great potential to achieve significant energy savings. These include … The provision of vital Holistic approach to Use of networks and services engaging societal well-being with peer-to-peer support to vulnerable and hard to shared motivations and deliver services and reach members values initiatives Trust and respect Assets which can be Similar structures in between communities used as hubs for different countries, and faith leaders engaging communities supporting replication
SPIRIT in numbers (London) So far… • 99 Energy Champions recruited from faith based networks • 50+ events • 10 training sessions delivered • 40+ active faith centre partners • 90 demonstration domestic assessment and advice sessions led by Groundwork’s Green Doctors • 700 Energy Champion advice sessions + similar achievements in the partner countries
Faith and energy “In my faith we are taught “We as Muslims are required to be very careful in how we not to waste - this includes energy saving. Saving use our resources and wastefulness is disliked and energy also gives us a discouraged. So saving energy helps us to be mindful of the blessings we have.” common link with others of different faith.” “Indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and “We need to support our family and religions. Being useful to done righteous deeds and advised your community is a virtue. We should encourage the each other to truth and advised each community to look internally for assistance, hopefully other to patience .” increasing love between family and friends.” (http://quran.com/103) “One who encourages life is like someone who makes a whole world. We should not waste energy or water or throw away anything that is useful.”
What have we learned? • Climate change is a concern for faith communities, but in general this does not translate to local action in energy management and behaviour change. • Engaging these communities on energy efficiency is challenging and time consuming, requiring a bespoke approach for each community. • Many engaged communities are motivated more by how they/their community benefit than environmental impacts. • The way messages are framed is key; group discussions that harness the power of social norms, public commitments and the social aspects of faith communities have been popular.
Case study: St John’s Hoxton Existing Groundwork relationship - built children’s playground and strong environmental awareness amongst Church leadership Very active in the community: ‘We want to benefit the local community and members of our congregation in whatever practical ways we can’ Enthusiastic about the project, and keen to link to other activities on climate change as well as introduce us to other local groups. ‘I think we always believed in Initial introductory session also supported by a speech from the Vicar on the link the value of energy saving work, between the environment and Christian faith; we promoted a planned training but having something like Spirit session at a stall after the service. makes it far more accessible to our members and empowers the A smaller group than expected attended the training session, but this allowed for m to help others .’ more in depth discussion. This was followed by: Jono Tyrrell, Assistant Curate, St John’s Demonstration Group energy advice 39 people have received energy advice sessions with local groups energy advice to date sessions with connected to the church or through our work here , through Energy Champions’ trained Energy with more sessions in the Champions own connections pipeline
Case study: Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre Participates pro-actively in the community on spiritual, social, cultural, economic, educational and training activities, working closely with the statutory and voluntary sector. Existing interest in energy management through involvement in MADE Eco Mosques project. We established contact through MADE and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, via a member of our Spirit Local Advisory Group. Introduction meeting in December and a stall following prayers in January, to share information on a planned training session. Use of the word ‘SPIRIT’ requested to be avoided due to negative connotations in Islam. ‘Helping the community is important in our faith, as is protecting the 15 Energy Champions trained in January 2016, with some interest in running environment and not wasting or over- sessions elsewhere with other groups. Followed by: consuming. We have gained a lot of information about energy saving that could benefit the whole community. Stall and group Ladies group We now know more ways to save Training energy advice energy advice session may be session at the sessions at Demonstration energy and take more care to save repeated for MCHC visits with Mosque, those unable to the environment.’ Energy leading to information day – well attended, attend the first Champions individual Intlak Al-S aiegh, ladies representative session 35 people advice sessions and home visits received advice and leader, MCHC
Case study: Finchley Reform Synagogue First faith community in the London Borough of Barnet to host a SPIRIT Energy Champions training session. Synagogue members sought to build on their Green Group’s interest in tackling climate change and the activist nature of the community. ‘We need to develop an energy advice programme. Ours is an activist community, for example we are involved in the London Citizens movement and supporting refugees in Barnet. Energy saving messages may be a useful addition to that support.’ Six Energy Champions trained in February 2016. A greater take-up for the session was expected following a well-attended climate change information event ‘T he concept of stewardship is at the Synagogue in late 2015. important to us. There is a compelling connection between religious practice and caring for the The training session was followed by: environment. ’ Janet Berenson, Finchley Reform Synagogue Demonstration Group energy advice energy advice sessions and events with 33 people have received sessions with local communities, involving energy advice to date trained Energy several of the trained through our work here Champions Energy Champions
Any questions? For more information, visit: www.spirit-project.eu Or follow us on Twitter: @EE_Spirit_EU Or contact me at hannah.kyrke-smith@groundwork.org.uk
Recommend
More recommend
