The ELCAN and Lil CIC are delighted to announce we were successful in securing Scottish Government Climate Hub Funding!
We are delighted to announce that the ELCAN Climate Hub has been awarded a significant grant of £107,864 from the Scottish Government to establish a Climate Hub to support and facilitate action to address the Climate and Nature Emergency across East Lothian. This funding is a testament to the dedication and passion of our community and reflects the recognition of our commitment to environmental sustainability and community resilience.
The above grant covers the costs for an exciting and ambitious programme of work in the remainder of 2023/24. There is in principle agreement from the Scottish Government for a similar grant award for the next financial year also.
What will the Hub do?
The East Lothian Climate Hub serves to provide dedicated support for community climate action. Our purpose is to further cultivate a resilient and just community-driven movement that effectively addresses the challenges of climate change. Through collaboration, education, and advocacy, we aim to amplify ongoing climate initiatives, engage diverse communities, and empower individuals and groups with the knowledge and tools needed to drive positive environmental and social change. By fostering partnerships, peer-to-peer learning, and championing coordinated efforts, we will strive to create a cohesive network that not only responds to climate crises but also fosters sustainable development, equitable engagement, and meaningful policy influence for the betterment of both our environment and our people.
ELCAN will:
Map and consult with community groups to inform our plans and publicise existing climate action activity to increase awareness of successful local projects and collaborations.
Grow ELCAN’s network, through public events to inform and facilitate networking and identifying and removing barriers and inspiring more people and groups to get involved in climate action.
Support the development and delivery of Local Plans with a strong focus on climate action, adaptation, and justice in a national & international context.
Reach out to communities who are not yet engaged with climate change and identify ways to enable them to participate; recognising that climate and social justice are intimately connected.
Ensure a joined-up approach is taken to tackling climate change both at a local and regional level, encouraging co-ordination and collaboration. Work together with other Climate Action Hubs to build connections across the national network, allowing for the wider sharing of learning and good practice.
Increase the capacity, knowledge, skills and confidence of individuals and groups through collaboration, peer-to-peer learning, increasing climate literacy, promoting environmentally friendly practices and skills.
Support groups to access climate change specific funding opportunities.
Develop good working relationships with other organisations/agencies who can offer support, and signpost local groups/individuals/businesses to them as appropriate.
Support both the implementation and ongoing development of East Lothian Council’s Climate Change Strategy and create a shared voice to influence policy for positive action for climate and community.
Identify and gather baseline data about key monitoring criteria and evaluate these regularly throughout the project to assess the effectiveness of activities and measure our impact.
These objectives were identified through a series of network events, steering group and stakeholder meetings and are a shared view of the support ELCAN wishes to be delivered by the Hub. They are drawn from the ELCAN Manifesto, the document that sets out what ELCAN exists to achieve.
What's Next?
🌍 Recruitment
Hub Manager (FT)
A senior role responsible for day-to-day support of other staff and Hub activities to deliver the work plan agreed. This includes responsibility for reporting, financial management, regular review against targets. They will maintain a strategic overview, consistent with guidance / direction from the Hub Steering Group, working with partners and maintaining up to date policy knowledge to share with the team and with ELCAN members and others. They will be supported by the Hub Steering Group & Lil.
Interested in Applying? Job Description
Community & Climate development workers x 2 (0.6 FTE)
Working on the ground with existing groups to encourage coordination and collaboration and with new groups to encourage & support them to act. The structure of 2 part-time posts allows us to bring more diverse skills into the team supporting action on a wider range of issues, and to cover different geographic areas, building stronger relationships.
📅 Launch Event: Save the date for our official launch event on [Launch Event Date]. This will be a momentous occasion where we will share our plans, goals, and celebrate the beginning of this transformative journey.