Resources & Events
We have created the following free resources to help you on your Spark Change journey.
Bookmark this page, we will be adding new events and resources regularly.
Sustainable Communities Toolkit
This toolkit aims to support local communities across Ireland to awaken awareness, deepen understanding and activate participation in sustainable development with a view to living better by using less. Through the reach of The Wheel’s network across civil society organisations in Ireland, this toolkit has been informed by, and thereby hopes to inform, local communities on how they can become more sustainable.
Sustainable Communities Funding Handbook
A funding handbook for community-led groups, produced by The Wheel in partnership with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Published in 2016.
Sustainable Communities Governance Handbook
A good governance resource for community and voluntary groups. Produced by The Wheel in partnership with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Published in 2016.
Events
What does a sustainable community look like, what are we doing already and how can we become more sustainable?
Join us at the following free community events to find out:
Stakeholder Mapping Tool
Your Stakeholder Engagement Map (Resource 1) A community’s Stakeholder Engagement Map looks at the 17 stakeholders and how engaged your community is with them. It includes those stakeholders which your community are not engaging and indicates where action is needed. The resource has short 4 videos which show you how to make your community’s stakeholder engagement map.
Competencies Assessment
Profiling is a way of identifying community characteristics like demographics, capacities and deficiencies and allows customization of activities or campaigns. The SEAI competencies assessment is a good example of a type of profiling
Visioning Tool
This includes a visioning tool which supports community groups to seed and create local conversations and activities
Financial Guide
Is reviewed in the Funding Guide of the Wheel. Wheel members are entitled to reduced and no cost training in this area
Story-Telling
A story-telling tool is being launched in September 2018 so you can quickly find out how other communities are developing and progressing. It will allow you to upload your stories too so others can learn from what you are doing.
The SEC Charter
Commitment techniques have been shown to be effective in stimulating engagement and examples are charters, pledges and petitions. Increases in commitment strength can increase sustainability and SEAI’s charter is very important in gaining the support of your community.
Bridging Organisations
These do great work in communities and support access of resources, networking, bringing together different actors, building trust and resolving conflict. An example is a family resource centre and if you have one of these local to you, you should work with them
Communication Guide
When we are engaging others communication is critical. Basic information can be found at the link below. It underlines the importance of understanding your stakeholders and community residents, internalising your message, stimulating local conversation and establishing norms. We are launching a story database (resource 5, above), as part of this, to help you learn from the stories of others and of course for others to learn from your stories.
Further Reading
For those who want to find out more about the resources and how to engage with those around you – further reading is provided, at the link below. This includes a Concerted Engagement, Guide for mentors and communities, some useful links, an EPA Research Report on community engagement and a paper on a research project with an Irish community which is establishing a sustainability blueprint internationally
Concerted Engagement, Guide for mentors and communities
Concerted Engagement for Mentors and Communities
