Community Engagement and Sustainable Development

"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.

Purpose of the tool The CESD tool is aimed at practitioners working on projects, programmes or interventions which involve community engagement processes, and which in some way aim to influence consumer behaviour in regards to sustainable development. >>

Project objectives In partnership with CAG Consultants, WWF-UK are working to develop an impact assessment tool which can be used to measure the impact of community engagement on behaviour change towards sustainability. >>

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. >>

Why choose community engagement?
This is the question that has
driven this project designed
to help local project workers
measure the effect of their
work on sustainable living. Download our introductory pamphlet. >>