The Power To Change
Power To Change on Ocean FM
The “Power to Change” project led by Atlantic Technological University in partnership with the Sligo Public Participation Network is funded under the Community Climate Action Programme. The project will facilitate connection/reconnection with nature and build capacity within community groups to lead on change and consists of four initiatives. A key focus of the project is to engage with groups that have been under-represented in the Climate Conversations and will be guided by the principles of universal design for research to ensure inclusivity and accessibility. A repository of case studies, good practice guides, and a virtual learning environment will be developed to aid capacity building within community groups, and ultimately establish lasting connections and networks.
Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Plan Toolkit for community groups This initiative will provide communities with training, mentoring and guidance to create, implement and maintain operational climate change mitigation and adaptation plans. A toolkit will be developed to provide simple and achievable steps that groups can put into place, and will also provide a way to monitor how changes in operations feed into local climate action targets.
This initiative is run in partnership with the Sligo Public Participation Network.
For more information on the initiative and how to get involved please contact Yvonne Lang at Yvonne.lang@atu.ie
How To Complete the Application Form
How to Access the Immersive Reader
This project is part of the Community Climate Action Programme (strand 2) funded by Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC)
The Broader Climate Action Programme
As well as the engaging communities element, the Power to Change programme also has 3 other key elements. To find out more about any of these please contact Yvonne.lang@atu.ie
Develop a living and learning native woodland environment
This initiative aims to develop an existing woodland resource and establish a living and learning environment, thereby raising awareness on the role of trees and woodlands in combating climate change and supporting biodiversity. It aims to provide visitors and community stakeholders with a more immersive learning experience of woodlands and their role in addressing the Sustainable Development Goal targets. The initiative will be run in collaboration with Connemara National Park, Connemara West, local schools, and local community groups.
Establish an Education for Sustainability Network
An Education for Sustainability Atlantic Network will employ a phased approach where ATU will invite local schools, further education colleges and communities to co-design a Climate Education Club with the Centre for Sustainability. The Climate Education Clubs will act as a collaborative forum to identify projects that will harness the knowledge available within the education system and the community groups to address local community needs.
Educationally focused Sustainable Energy Community Sharing Environment (Ed-SEC SharE)
This initiative seeks to develop an innovative learning environment to help build Ireland’s capacity to construct resilient and sustainable energy communities. The learning environment is based on prototype, gaming style, learning environment: Sustainable Energy Community (Ed-SEC) (3dvista.com) developed by ATU Galway. The overall aim of the initiative is to provide examples of opportunities to change practices and behaviour in energy consumption and use by sharing ATU Galway’s ‘in-house’ experience of reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions since 2010 by over 30% and 50% respectively. This project is part of the Community Climate Action Programme (strand 2) funded by Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC)