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. It is intended that the results of this work will be used to influence future practice and policy.

Through developing a tool the LSU are aiming to:

• Produce a stand alone evaluation tool for practitioners to measure the impact of their community engagement activity on sustainable behaviours (developing the tool).
• To collect, collate and review evidence collected by practitioners using the tool to assess in what circumstances community engagement influences behaviour change and to use the results of the analysis to both influence work in the field, as well as advocating and demonstrating the most effective processes to government and others (the wider research programme).

To produce outputs from the wider research in terms of guidance or information to influence practice and policy.

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. >>

Pilot Projects The Community Engagement and Sustainable Development project has already been piloted in 2 phases. Past project pasticipants include Bristol City Council, Lewes District Council and Surrey County Council. >>

I'm In: what the pilot projects said 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. >>

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. >>