Community Action

Community action for sustainability takes many forms, each suited to different interests, skills, and local contexts.

Environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) range from large international bodies to small local groups. They conduct research, raise awareness, lobby for policy change, and organise direct action. Joining or supporting an environmental NGO is one of the most straightforward ways to contribute to collective sustainability efforts.

Community energy cooperatives allow citizens to collectively own and operate renewable energy installations. Members invest in wind turbines, solar panels, or biogas plants and share the returns. There are now over 3,500 renewable energy cooperatives across Europe, democratising the energy system and keeping profits within communities.

Urban gardens and community allotments transform unused land into productive green spaces. They provide fresh, local food, create habitats for pollinators, reduce urban heat island effects, and build social cohesion among diverse neighbours. Over 50,000 community gardens are estimated to exist in European cities.

Repair cafes are free community events where volunteer fixers help residents repair broken electronics, clothing, bicycles, furniture, and household items. Founded in Amsterdam in 2009, the Repair Cafe movement has spread to over 2,500 locations worldwide, diverting tonnes of waste from landfill while teaching valuable repair skills.

Zero-waste community groups organise bulk-buying cooperatives, swap events, composting programmes, and campaigns for plastic-free local businesses. Citizen science projects engage community members in environmental monitoring, from bird counts and water quality testing to air pollution measurement.

Local food networks, including farmers markets, community-supported agriculture schemes, and food cooperatives, connect consumers directly with local producers, reducing food miles, supporting local economies, and building food system resilience.

Starting a community sustainability initiative can seem daunting, but many successful projects have grown from simple beginnings: a conversation between neighbours, a social media post, or a notice on a community board. Here are practical steps to move from idea to action.

Start by identifying a specific local need or opportunity. What sustainability challenges does your neighbourhood face? Is there a lack of recycling infrastructure, no community garden, insufficient repair services, or poor cycling infrastructure? A focused, specific goal is more motivating and achievable than a vague ambition to 'be more sustainable.'

Build a core team of three to five committed people who share your vision. Diverse skills are more valuable than large numbers at this stage. Look for people who bring different strengths: organising ability, communication skills, technical knowledge, community connections, or fundraising experience.

Map your stakeholders. Who in the community might support your initiative? Who might oppose it? Who has resources, spaces, or expertise you could draw on? Local government, schools, religious organisations, businesses, and existing community groups can all be allies. Approach them early and seek collaboration rather than working in isolation.

Secure resources. Many initiatives can start with minimal funding, but some require space, equipment, or materials. Look into grants from local government, EU programmes like Erasmus+ or the LIFE programme, crowdfunding, in-kind donations from local businesses, and partnerships with existing organisations.

Communicate consistently and inclusively. Use multiple channels, social media, local newsletters, community noticeboards, and word of mouth, to reach diverse audiences. Make sure your initiative is welcoming to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Measure your impact from the start. Whether it is kilograms of waste diverted, meals shared, items repaired, or trees planted, having data on your achievements helps motivate participants, attract support, and demonstrate the value of community action.

Plan for sustainability of the initiative itself. Build leadership capacity so the project does not depend on one person. Document processes, celebrate successes, and create regular rhythms of activity that people can build into their routines.