Groundwork London -

INSS Conference

‘Communities and

Connections’

10th June 2016

The sole responsibility for the content of this presentation lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion

of the European Union. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information

contained therein.

Hannah Kyrke-Smith, Programme Manager

hannah.kyrke-smith@groundwork.org.uk

SPIRIT…

• Is a partnership of 8 organisations in 8 EU member states.

• Harnesses the strongly embedded social connections of faith-

based organisations, training volunteers from these groups to

help their communities change the way they use energy in the

home, leading to measurable energy savings and CO2

emissions reduction.

• Recognises that tackling energy efficiency requires more than

legislation and the provision of public services; it requires

collaboration between individuals, the state and communities.

Overview

Faith community values

The provision of vital services engaging

vulnerable and hard to reach members

Holistic approach to societal well-being with shared motivations and

values

Use of networks and peer-to-peer support to

deliver services and initiatives

Trust and respect between communities

and faith leaders

Assets which can be used as hubs for

engaging communities

Similar structures in different countries,

supporting replication

Faith communities, regardless of the faith in question, have a number of strengths

and assets which give great potential to achieve significant energy savings. These

include…

So far…

• 99 Energy Champions recruited from faith based networks

• 50+ events

• 10 training sessions delivered

• 40+ active faith centre partners

• 90 demonstration domestic assessment and advice

sessions led by Groundwork’s Green Doctors

• 700 Energy Champion advice sessions

+ similar achievements in the partner countries

SPIRIT in numbers (London)

Faith and energy

“We as Muslims are required to be very careful in how we

use our resources and wastefulness is disliked and

discouraged. So saving energy helps us to be mindful of

the blessings we have.”

“We need to support our family and religions. Being useful to

your community is a virtue. We should encourage the

community to look internally for assistance, hopefully

increasing love between family and friends.”

“One who encourages life is like someone who makes a whole

world. We should not waste energy or water or throw away

anything that is useful.”

“Indeed, mankind is in loss, except

for those who have believed and

done righteous deeds and advised

each other to truth and advised each

other to patience.”

(http://quran.com/103)

“In my faith we are taught

not to waste - this includes

energy saving. Saving

energy also gives us a

common link with others of

different faith.”

• Climate change is a concern for faith communities, but in general

this does not translate to local action in energy management and

behaviour change.

• Engaging these communities on energy efficiency is challenging

and time consuming, requiring a bespoke approach for each

community.

• Many engaged communities are motivated more by how

they/their community benefit than environmental impacts.

• The way messages are framed is key; group discussions that

harness the power of social norms, public commitments and the

social aspects of faith communities have been popular.

What have we learned?

Case study:

St John’s Hoxton

Existing Groundwork relationship - built children’s playground and strong environmental awareness amongst Church leadership

Very active in the community: ‘We want to benefit the local community and members of our congregation in whatever practical ways we can’

Enthusiastic about the project, and keen to link to other activities on climate change as well as introduce us to other local groups.

Initial introductory session also supported by a speech from the Vicar on the link between the environment and Christian faith; we promoted a planned training

session at a stall after the service.

A smaller group than expected attended the training session, but this allowed for more in depth discussion. This was followed by:

Demonstration energy advice sessions with trained Energy

Champions

Group energy advice sessions with local groups connected to the church or through Energy Champions’

own connections

39 people have received energy advice to date

through our work here, with more sessions in the

pipeline

‘I think we always believed in

the value of energy saving work,

but having something like Spirit

makes it far more accessible to

our members and empowers the

m to help others.’

Jono Tyrrell, Assistant Curate, St

John’s

Case study: Muslim Cultural

Heritage Centre

Participates pro-actively in the community on spiritual, social, cultural, economic, educational and training activities, working closely with the statutory and

voluntary sector. Existing interest in energy management through involvement in MADE Eco Mosques project.

We established contact through MADE and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, via a member of our Spirit Local Advisory Group.

Introduction meeting in December and a stall following prayers in January, to share information on a planned training session. Use of the word ‘SPIRIT’

requested to be avoided due to negative connotations in Islam.

15 Energy Champions trained in January 2016, with some interest in running sessions elsewhere with other groups. Followed by:

Demonstration visits with

Energy Champions

Ladies group energy advice session at the

Mosque, leading to individual

advice sessions and home visits

Stall and group energy advice

sessions at MCHC

information day – well attended,

35 people received advice

Training session may be

repeated for those unable to attend the first

session

‘Helping the community is important in

our faith, as is protecting the

environment and not wasting or over-

consuming. We have gained a lot of

information about energy saving that

could benefit the whole community.

We now know more ways to save

energy and take more care to save

the environment.’

Intlak Al-Saiegh, ladies representative

and leader, MCHC

Case study:

Finchley Reform Synagogue

First faith community in the London Borough of Barnet to host a SPIRIT Energy Champions training session.

Synagogue members sought to build on their Green Group’s interest in tackling climate change and the activist nature of the community.

‘We need to develop an energy advice programme. Ours is an activist community, for example we are involved in the London Citizens movement and

supporting refugees in Barnet. Energy saving messages may be a useful addition to that support.’

Six Energy Champions trained in February 2016. A greater take-up for the session was expected following a well-attended climate change information event

at the Synagogue in late 2015.

The training session was followed by:

Demonstration energy advice sessions with trained Energy

Champions

Group energy advice sessions and events with

local communities, involving several of the trained Energy Champions

33 people have received energy advice to date through our work here

‘The concept of stewardship is

important to us. There is a compelling

connection between religious

practice and caring for the

environment.’

Janet Berenson, Finchley Reform

Synagogue

For more information, visit:

www.spirit-project.eu

Or follow us on Twitter:

@EE_Spirit_EU

Or contact me at hannah.kyrke-smith@groundwork.org.uk

Any questions?