THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PROJECT
VOLUNTEERING WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW FOUNDATION
On the 11th November 2008 the Environmental Law Foundation launched its "Sustainable Communities Project". ELF's new and exciting project, through the appointment of Regional Volunteer Co-ordinators, aims to assist community groups and under-represented groups in their understanding and strategic use of the tools of public participation which includes the Sustainable Communities Act 2007.
The Environmental Law Foundation's "Sustainable Communites Project" aims to assist regionally under-represented groups in their understanding and strategic use of legal and democratic means available to them by which they can publicly participate in environmental decision making. Through community driven events and advice clinics, ELF aims to inform, educate and ultimately assist under-represented groups to participate in those areas of decision making that affetcs them. Empowering groups to become involved in local environmental and planning issues, driving towards effective participation in decision making. Also facilitating dialogue and discussion on an indedendent and impartial basis between local community groups and local decision makers on community governance issues, the planning process and the duty to involve, thereby enabling all participants to contribute effectively to decision making.
One such means available for local people to bring about change is through the new Sustainable Communities Act 2007. The Act provides a mechanism for local people to put forward ideas to improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of their area. The ideas are proposed by Citizens Panels to local authorities, who, through the LGA acting as the "selector" will provide a shortlist to central government. The Act presents new and exciting opportunities for local groups to be engaged in environmental democracy by bringing about real change in the environmental policies of local authorities. The Sustainable Communities Act is just one tool that ELF has identified that can be used by local people to effect change. The deadline for this years
proposals was the 31st July 2009 and we wait to see what happens to those proposals put forward.
VOLUNTEER WITH ELF ON THE SCP
Become a Regional Volunteer Co-ordinator
In order to successfully roll out this three year programme ELF is recruiting Regional Volunteer Co-ordinators (RVCs) from within the nine regions of England. RVCs must be willing to volunteer with ELF for a minimum of six months, at least 3 days a month. ELF will provide on going training and supervision. If you are an active member of your local community and have an interest in environmental issues and would like to work closely with the Environmental Law Foundation, we would like to hear from you.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please forward your CV with a covering letter to Emma Montlake by e-mail to scp@elflaw.org or by post to the ELF at Suite 309, 16 Baldwin Gardens, London, EC1N 7RJ. Please call on 020 74041030 if you have any enquiries.