"WHEN and WHY is community engagement likely to result in more sustainable decisions and lifestyles?"

WWF-UK and CAG Consultants have come together to explore this question, working in partnership to develop an impact assessment tool which can be used to measure the impact of community engagement on behaviour change towards sustainability. It is intended that the results of this work will be used to influence future practice and policy.

What is the community engagement and sustainable development project about?

WWF-UK’s Local Sustainability Unit (LSU) has worked on the assumption that community engagement, involvement in local activities and decision-making for sustainable development, is a pre-requisite for sustainable communities.

Organic vegetables being purchased at a local famers market - Scotland

The Community Engagement and Sustainable Development project aims to explore whether community engagement leads to long term behaviour change in individuals that are involved in sustainable development activities. The findings will link to consumption, climate change and ecological footprint reduction and a tool will be produced that will enable the evaluation of projects with regard to sustainable development and community engagement. The LSU will be able to use the results of the project to demonstrate to government and others the case for direct community involvement in sustainable development issues.

Community Engagement News

Become a Project Participant

WWF-UK and CAG are currently inviting organisations to take part in the wider research phase to provide evidence that will enable us to evaluate the impact of community engagement on long term behaviour change. The Tool is designed for practitioners who aim to influence behaviour in relation to sustainable development. >>

Download the Tool information pack

WWF-UK and CAG have put together a comprehensive information pack for prospective participants that includes a short history of the Community Engagement project - "Measuring the impact of Community Engagement on Sustainable Behaviours". The download also includes two articles from sustainable development freelance journalist Andrew Ross. >>

Are we ready to shift direction?

Around the country this summer, local authorities are using all sorts of methods to encourage local communities to live in ways that will reduce their impact on the planet. Durham County ran its recent Action Packed Futures 2006 festival with a host of interactive activities to inspire people to take new actions such as using renewable energy and recycling more. >>

I'm in: what the pilot projects say about the CESD tool

The Community Engagement and Sustainable Development (CESD) tool has been piloted by five local authorities and a community-based organisation. Here we report briefly from a selection of these pilots projects, including Bristol City Council, Durham County Council and Lewes District Council, about how they have found working with the tool so far. >>