Sustainable Community Practices

Research and Gather Resources

• Collect examples of successful community sustainability projects to inspire participants. These examples should include a variety of initiatives from different contexts, such as urban and rural communities, various industries, and regions. Ensure these examples highlight different aspects of sustainability, such as environmental, social, and economic benefits.
• Prepare case studies or videos showcasing real-world examples that can help participants understand what a successful sustainability project looks like. These could be projects focused on waste reduction, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, or water conservation.
• If relevant, gather local case studies or examples from regions similar to the participants’ communities. This can help make the discussion more relatable and practical.
• Make sure to have digital resources available for participants to access during the session, such as links to sustainability databases or online project planning tools.

Develop and Print Planning Templates

• Create project planning templates that are easy to follow and provide structure for participants to map out their community resources, identify sustainability challenges, and define specific actions for their proposed project.
• Each template should include sections for:

• • Community assets: Identifying strengths, such as available resources, partnerships, or infrastructure.
  • Challenges: Mapping key sustainability challenges the community faces (e.g., waste management, pollution, lack of green spaces).
  • Stakeholders: Identifying who in the community can be involved in the project (e.g., local government, businesses, residents).
  • Action steps: Laying out a series of actions that can be taken to implement the sustainability initiative, including both short-term and long-term steps.
• Make enough copies of these templates for each group, and ensure that there are digital versions available if the session is conducted online.

Room Setup

Flexible seating: Arrange the room with flexible seating that allows for collaboration. Round tables or workstations are ideal to encourage group discussion and planning. Ensure that each group has plenty of space to spread out materials like flip charts, sticky notes, and templates.

Materials at each station: Prepare flip charts, markers, sticky notes, and other writing materials at each table. These will be used for brainstorming, community mapping, and developing project ideas. Ensure there is enough for all participants to contribute actively.

Technology check: If using a projector, ensure it is set up properly for showcasing examples, videos, or presentations on community sustainability projects. Test all technology in advance to avoid any disruptions.

Digital tools: If the workshop is being conducted online or hybrid, set up digital collaboration tools such as Miro, Jamboard, or Google Docs. Create virtual breakout rooms for group discussions and ensure that participants know how to access and use the digital planning templates. Provide a tutorial if necessary.

Participant Preparation

Pre-session instructions: If possible, send participants information about the co-design workshop in advance. This could include a brief overview of the activity, examples of sustainability challenges, and a request to think about sustainability issues in their community that they would like to address.

Pre-read materials: Provide participants with optional pre-reading materials or links to examples of community sustainability projects. This will help them come prepared with ideas and understanding of what co-design entails.