community of practice – CIVICGREEN

Examples of Good Practices

Good Practice 1	The “Repair Café” Movement in Belgium
Brief description of good practice	The Repair Café movement in Belgium is a grassroots initiative focused on reducing waste and fostering a culture of repair. It involves local communities coming together to organize events where people can bring in broken or damaged items, from electronics to clothing, and receive free assistance in repairing them. These events promote sustainability, community engagement, and skill-sharing. Duration: The first Repair Café was created in Ixelles, one of the neighbourhoods in Brussels, in 2012. Usually, the Repair Café is established for long-term purposes. Aims: The aim of a Repair Café is to promote sustainability by providing a platform for individuals to bring in their broken or damaged items, from small household appliances to clothing and electronics, and receive free assistance in repairing them. The ultimate goal is to extend the lifespan of these items, diverting them from landfills and minimizing the environmental impact of consumer goods. Implementation: To implement a Repair Café, assemble a dedicated team of volunteers passionate about sustainability. Secure an accessible venue and gather necessary tools. Recruit skilled repairers in areas like electronics and textiles. Set a convenient date and promote through local channels. Categorize repairable items and create designated stations. Welcome visitors, register their items, and evaluate repair feasibility. Facilitate repair sessions, encouraging participation. Gather feedback for improvements. Provide follow-up resources for items needing further attention. Cultivate a collaborative and sustainable community ethos.
Target group of the good practice	The target groups of Repair Café are: – Community Members: Anyone in the community with broken items, ranging from small household appliances to clothing, who are interested in repairing rather than replacing them. – Volunteers and Repair Experts: Skilled individuals passionate about repairing various items and sharing their expertise with others. – Environmentally-Conscious Individuals: People who are motivated to reduce waste and promote sustainable consumption habits.
Partners / Actors of good practice	N/A
Success factors and difficulties / barriers to good practice	Success factors: – Community Engagement: The Repair Café movement thrives on active participation from the local community. When residents take ownership of the initiative, it builds a sense of pride and commitment, leading to the movement’s sustained success. – Diverse Skillsets: Having a diverse group of volunteers with different repair skills and expertise ensures that a wide range of items can be fixed during each event, increasing the impact of the initiative. – Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensuring that Repair Café events are easily accessible to all members of the community, regardless of socioeconomic status, plays a crucial role in their success. This inclusivity fosters a sense of unity and common purpose. – Collaboration with Local Businesses and Organizations: Partnerships with local businesses for sponsorship, space, or technical support can greatly enhance the movement’s reach and effectiveness. Difficulties / Barriers: – Resource Constraints: Securing the necessary tools, equipment, and physical space for Repair Café events can be a challenge. Finding sponsors or donors to provide these resources is often a critical hurdle. – Volunteer Retention: Maintaining a committed and consistent pool of skilled volunteers can be difficult, as they may face time constraints or burnout. Keeping volunteers engaged and motivated is essential. – Awareness and Outreach: Effectively spreading the word about Repair Café events can be a struggle, particularly in communities where the concept is unfamiliar. Building awareness through various channels, including social media, local newspapers, and community organizations, is crucial. – Legal and Safety Considerations: Ensuring that repair activities comply with local regulations and safety standards can be a complex aspect, requiring careful planning and coordination.
How can this good practice be linked to the CIVIC GREEN project, its scope and its activities?	The Repair Café initiative aligns closely with the goals and scope of the CivicGreen project. They can be related as follows: – Promoting Active Citizenship: Repair Cafés empower citizens to take an active role in reducing waste and promoting sustainability. By participating in repairs and learning valuable skills, individuals become engaged environmental stewards, directly contributing to the goals of CivicGreen. – Enhancing Environmental Knowledge: Repair Cafés provide practical education on repairing items, emphasizing the importance of extending the lifespan of products. This aligns with the CivicGreen objective of improving environmental knowledge among citizens and institutions. – Improving Conditions for Civic Participation: Repair Cafés create a communal space where citizens collaborate on repairs, fostering a sense of community and active participation. This strengthens the conditions for democratic engagement, which is a core aspect of CivicGreen’s mission. – Engaging Citizens in Environmental Monitoring: Repair Cafés, by nature, involve citizens in direct environmental action. They participate in repairing items, which supports the CivicGreen goal of engaging citizens in monitoring and feeding environmental policies and projects. – Supporting Sustainable Practices: Repair Cafés exemplify sustainable practices by extending the life of items, reducing the need for new production, and diverting waste from landfills. This directly aligns with CivicGreen’s focus on environmental sustainability. – Community Building: Both initiatives foster a sense of community and shared responsibility for environmental issues. Repair Cafés provide a tangible platform for citizens to come together, exchange knowledge, and collaborate towards a common goal, mirroring the community-building aspect of CivicGreen.
Related links	Website of the good practice: https://repairtogether.be/en/our-association/ Other related resources that have been developed and are available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/22/12351 (Academic study about reviewing the Role of Repair Cafés in a Sustainable Circular Transition)

Good Practice 2	The “Buurderij” (Neighbourly Farm) Model in Belgium
Brief description of good practice	The Buurderij model is a community-driven initiative that connects local farmers directly with consumers. It creates a platform where farmers can offer their produce, including fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, and other goods, to nearby residents. Through online ordering and regular pickup sessions, Buurderij promotes sustainable, locally sourced food consumption. Duration: The “Buurderij” (Neighbourly Farm) model in Belgium is an ongoing, community-driven initiative that has been successfully implemented for several years. It continues to thrive as a sustainable platform connecting local farmers directly with consumers. Aims: Support Local Agriculture by providing a direct avenue for local farmers to sell their produce, Buurderij promotes and sustains small-scale, independent agriculture in Belgium. Facilitate Direct Consumer-Farmer Connection by bridge the gap between consumers and farmers, allowing for a more transparent and personal exchange of products. This fosters a sense of trust and connection within the community. Promote Sustainable, Locally Sourced Food by emphasizing the importance of consuming fresh, seasonal, and locally-sourced produce, reducing the environmental footprint associated with long-distance food transportation.
Target group of the good practice	The target groups of Buurderij are: – Local Farmers: Small-scale and independent farmers looking for a direct route to sell their produce without intermediaries or distributors. – Consumers: Residents seeking fresh, locally sourced, and seasonal produce, as well as other artisanal products. – Community Organizers: Individuals or groups interested in fostering community connections, supporting local agriculture, and promoting sustainable food systems. .
Partners / Actors of good practice	N/A
Success factors and difficulties / barriers to good practice	Success factors – Strong Community Engagement: The Buurderij model relies on active participation and support from the local community. Establishing a sense of ownership and pride among residents is key to the model’s success. – Transparent and Fair Pricing: Transparent pricing ensures that consumers understand the value of the produce they are purchasing, while also ensuring fair compensation for the farmers. – Efficient Logistics and Organization: Smooth coordination of online orders, pickup schedules, and distribution logistics is vital. Clear communication and reliable systems help build trust among participants. – Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture: The model’s emphasis on local, seasonal, and sustainable produce resonates with consumers seeking environmentally-friendly and ethical food choices. Difficulties / Barriers – Logistical Challenges: Coordinating the schedules of farmers, consumers, and pickup locations can be complex. Ensuring timely deliveries and pickups requires careful planning. – Scaling and Expansion: As the Buurderij model gains popularity, scaling it to meet growing demand while maintaining its community-driven ethos can be a challenge. – Balancing Supply and Demand: Aligning the supply of produce with the demands of consumers, especially during seasonal fluctuations, requires careful management. – Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to local regulations regarding food safety, transportation, and distribution can be a significant hurdle.
How can this good practice be linked to the CIVIC GREEN project, its scope and its activities?	The Buurderij model aligns closely with the goals and activities of the CIVICGREEN project, particularly in promoting active citizenship, enhancing environmental knowledge, and fostering sustainable practices. Here’s how the Buurderij initiative can be related to the CIVICGREEN project:: – Promoting Active Citizenship: Buurderij encourages active participation from both farmers and consumers. This aligns with the CIVICGREEN project’s aim to promote active citizenship by encouraging individuals to take proactive roles in environmental issues and community initiatives. – Improving Environmental Knowledge: Buurderij promotes environmental awareness by emphasizing the benefits of locally-sourced, seasonal produce. This aligns with the CIVICGREEN project’s goal of improving the knowledge of citizens and public institutions on environmental issues. – Facilitating Direct Consumer-Farmer Connection: Buurderij creates a direct channel of communication between consumers and farmers, fostering transparency and trust within the community. Similarly, the CIVICGREEN project aims to improve conditions for civic and democratic participation by fostering connections and collaborations among citizens, communities, and public institutions. – Promoting Sustainable Food Practices: Buurderij promotes sustainable food consumption by offering fresh, locally-sourced produce that is in season. This aligns with the CIVICGREEN project’s goal of promoting sustainable practices and engaging citizens in the monitoring of environmental policies and projects
Related links	Website of the good practice: https://www.lekkervanbijons.be/producten/rechtvanbijdeboer/verkooppunten/buurderij Other related resources that have been developed and are available online: https://boerenenburen.be/nl-BE/p/open

Tools

Tool 1	The Umbrella Sky Project
Brief description of the tool	Aim: To colour life, bring colour to grey spaces and make people smile. It is a culturally inclusive project that inspires human connection through the universal power of colour. Short Description: It consists of several colourful art installations spread around the city, with the sky of umbrellas that seem to float in the air being the strongest element of this project. The project was born in 2012 in Águeda, Portugal, and has since been exhibited in several countries. The project also creates a dynamic interaction with social networks, producing beautiful and viral images that attract the attention of bloggers, photographers and the press. The project contributes to the development of tourism and the local economy, as well as to the enhancement of public spaces and urban identity.
Target group of the tool	The Umbrella Sky Project is aimed at the public, particularly those interested in art, culture and urban regeneration. The project also has a social and educational dimension, involving local communities, schools and artists in the creation and maintenance of the umbrellas. The project also raises awareness of skin cancer prevention by encouraging people to seek shade and protect themselves from the sun. The project is culturally inclusive, inspiring human connection through the universal power of colour.
The tool is developed by …	The project was developed by Impactplan Art Productions, a Portuguese company that specialises in creating artistic and cultural interventions in public spaces using colourful and low-cost materials. The company works with a team of artists, designers, engineers and technicians who work together to produce the installations. The company also involves local communities, schools and artists in the creation and maintenance of the umbrellas.
How this tool can be related to CIVIC GREEN Project and its scope and activities?	The Umbrella Sky project can be linked to the CivicGreen project as an example of creative and sustainable placemaking. It can inspire citizens to create colourful, low-cost installations that enhance the beauty and liveability of communities, raise awareness of skin cancer prevention, and promote shade. The project also collects environmental and socio-economic data, providing insights into the impact of installations on the local environment and socio-economic benefits such as increased tourism and local economies. It helps citizens understand civic spaces at different levels and encourages action on real issues. The project has been exhibited worldwide and involves stakeholders such as local authorities, schools, artists and citizens in the creation and maintenance of the screens. The target groups of the Community of Practice can benefit from learning about the Umbrella Sky Project, which provides a practical and innovative example of how art, culture and colour can be used to transform public spaces into more attractive and sustainable places.
Related links	Access website of the tool: www.impactplan.pt/en/umbrella-sky-project/ Other related resources that this tool is based on: www.impactplan.pt/en/seaweed-algarve23/ www.impactplan.pt/en/golden-dots-alcobaca23/ www.impactplan.pt/en/chromatic-emotionsporto23/

Tool 2	Creative Tourism as Boosting Tool for Placemaking Strategies in Peripheral Areas Insights From Portugal
Brief description of the tool	Aim: To analyse the role and potential of creative tourism in promoting territorial cohesion and development in peripheral areas of Portugal, using the CREATOUR project as a case study. Short Description: Creative tourism involves visitors engaging in unique cultural activities in a destination. It can be a valuable tool in placemaking strategies in peripheral areas if it involves local communities and generates territorial benefits. Placemaking involves the creation of attractive, liveable and sustainable public spaces. This paper examines the CREATOUR project, a network of creative tourism initiatives in small towns and rural areas in Portugal, and compares the intervention focus and placemaking strategies of public, private and third sector organizations. The aim is to contribute to academic and practical knowledge on creative tourism and placemaking, and to provide insights and recommendations for policy makers and practitioners.
Target group of the tool	The target group of the document “Creative Tourism as a Boosting Tool for Placemaking Strategies in Peripheral Areas: Insights from Portugal” is aimed at the academic and professional community interested in creative tourism and placemaking, especially in peripheral areas.
The tool is developed by …	The document Creative Tourism as a Boosting Tool for Placemaking Strategies in Peripheral Areas: Insights From Portugal is developed by four authors affiliated to the Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), DINÂMIA’CET-IUL – Centre for Socioeconomic and Territorial Studies. They are: Maria Assunção Gato, Assistant Professor and researcher in urban sociology, cultural studies and creative tourism. Pedro Costa, Associate Professor and researcher in urban and regional economic, cultural and creative industries and urban governance. Ana Rita Cruz, a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer in urban planning, cultural heritage and creative tourism. Margarida Perestrelo, PhD candidate and researcher in the fields of cultural tourism, creative tourism and cultural policies.
How this tool can be related to CIVIC GREEN Project and its scope and activities?	The document “Creative Tourism as a Boosting Tool for Placemaking Strategies in Peripheral Areas: Insights from Portugal” can be used to promote environmental sustainability and social inclusion in peripheral areas. It provides a theoretical framework for understanding creative tourism and placemaking, as well as examples from the CREATOUR project. The document also encourages citizens to collect environmental and socio-economic data and highlights the benefits of these initiatives. It also provides insights into how these initiatives can be integrated into policymaking and governance, and how they can be integrated into sectors such as culture, tourism, education, social innovation and urban regeneration. The document can also inspire citizens to take an active role in creating or participating in creative tourism projects that improve their local environment and quality of life.
Related links	Access website of the tool: www.researchgate.net/publication/342281279 Other related resources that this tool is based on: www.ualg.pt/en/creatour-project https://creatour.pt/en/

Resources

Resource 1	How To Organise a Sustainable Grassroots Movement? Arissa Jemaima & Davina Devarajan \| TedxUKM
Short description of the resource	Aim: Encouraging the emergence of more active citizens – people who are motivated by the need to positively impact their communities through grassroots initiatives. Short Description: Arissa Jemaima and Davina Devarajan are the founders of Women For Refugees, a non-governmental organization which aims to empower refugee women and equip them with essential skills. In the TEDx talk Arissa and Davina describe how they overcame apparent difficulties in launching a sustainable and effective grassroots initiative. They also share useful and universal tips for the development of one’s own initiative. These include knowing one’s audience, finding proper allies, developing a framework, designing sustainable programs and finding one’s brand identity. Date: 03.09.2021.
Target group of the resource	The TEDx talk is addressed to anyone interested in launching their own grassroots initiative, regardless of age, background or educational level.
The resource is published/broadcasted by …	The National University of Malaysia – via TEDx Talks.
How this resource can be related to CIVIC GREEN Project and its scope and activities?	The resource is inspiring for CIVICGREEN project activities because it provides the project participants with essential knowledge on launching and developing a successful grassroots movement that can boost their active engagement in environmental action. Its potential lies in the possibility for the participants to focus on the sustainable dimension of the grassroots movement.
Related links	Website of the resource https://www.ted.com/talks / Other related resources that this resource is based on: https://www.womenforrefugees.org/

Resource 2	Gulliver, Robyn E et al. “Resources that Help Sustain Environmental Volunteer Activist Leaders”. Voluntas: international journal of voluntary and nonprofit organizations, 1-11. 1 Mar. 2023, doi:10.1007/s11266-023-00561-3
Short description of the resource	Aim: Providing the reader with knowledge of useful resources that could help sustain environmental volunteer activist leaders. Short Description: The study presents resources that support or hinder sustained leadership behaviours among environmental activists. It contains an analysis of several interviews with activist leaders followed with suggestions for organizations which seek to increase retention of the leaders. The study stresses the importance of resources in understanding some leaders’ persistence despite the environmental crisis. Date: 01.03.2023.
Target group of the resource	The resource is addressed to all members of environmental organizations and grassroot movements who are interested in fostering a positive work environment and in increasement of retention among activist volunteer leaders.
The resource is published/broadcasted by …	Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations – via National Library of Medicine (an official website of the United States Government)
How this resource can be related to CIVIC GREEN Project and its scope and activities?	The resource is inspiring for CIVICGREEN project activities because it provides the project participants with knowledge and skills which are essential for launching and developing a successful civil society association. The article provides active engagement by encouraging the readers to build positive relationships within a sustainable organization. Its sustainability potential lies in the possibility for the learners to harness the resource mobilization theory to achieve sustainable goals by fostering a positive work environment within a grassroots movement.
Related links	Website of the resource: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov