Supporting Rural Communities

The project: Development of a scalable model of their community EV car club. Building on research they have conducted, this innovation will accelerate the speed at which they can support the development of new clubs, decarbonise transport, improve accessibility and strengthen the sustainability of the club for their community

Themes: environmental sustainability, economic viability

What we liked about it: This activity demonstrates clear replicability and is highly innovative, providing significant additional benefits alongside improving access to transport in their isolated community. Additional benefits include generating an income stream for the community, ensuring the future long-term viability of the club, helping to decarbonize transport and reducing isolation and loneliness. This organisation also demonstrates good collaboration and connectedness with others in their local area and they identified a clear need for the project within their own community and further afield.

The project: Creating a self-sustaining community enterprise turning their island’s plastic waste into useable products that benefit the community. The products are developed with the community and can be traded in for remanufacturing, creating an innovative circular economy on the island whilst removing litter from the coastline.  

Themes: environmental sustainability, economic viability

What we liked about it: This was a particularly innovative project that clearly outlined how the initiative would be sustainable long-term through strong business planning. They also demonstrated additional economic, environmental and social benefits, including supporting employment and protecting biosecurity and outlined how the project would contribute to creation of a circular economy on the island.

The project: Deliver community-based vocational training and short courses, work with local organisations to strengthen community provision and create new community spaces which are accessible to everyone.  

Themes: Environmental Sustainability, Economic viability

What we liked about it: BMC carried out wide consultation to determine which courses were most needed and works closely with other local organisations to strengthen community provision and facilitate economic clustering. Through their courses they also create new community spaces (orchards, woodlands, gardens, meadows) which are accessible to everyone and are aiming to establish a model circular economy which could be replicated in other communities across the UK.

The project: In collaboration with the community, turned an old pub into a dynamic, creative and industrious rural hub through learning and skill exchanges, business development and volunteer placements.

Themes: Economic viability

What we liked about it: This project had significant reach and impact, with strong quantitative and qualitative evidence of need in the form of survey results, monitoring & evaluation data and testimonials. They went beyond simply purchasing the pub and used community consultation to turn it into a hub providing a range of services. Their programmes aim to provide education and social engagement opportunities in wide-ranging skills; support business start-up programmes to encourage entrepreneurship and a circular local economy that supports local business recovery; encourage environmental stewardship and biodiversity on the inn’s land; champion new green energy ideas and support other local businesses to do the same. They also connect the resources held within rural spaces globally with a learning exchange programme that maintains and enhances the value of rural life, inviting other communities to collaborate.