The desire for community living is on the rise, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. However, many of these bottom-up initiatives struggle to navigate the planning stages and achieve their vision. This new Erasmus+ project aims to bridge that gap.exclamation
Cooperative Oasis had launched succesful online trainings for years. GEN-NL and Samenhuizen dreamt of such a tool for their audiences. Together they applied for a Erasmus+ grant to realise this.
The Challenge: From Dream to Reality
While the motivations are strong – fostering social connection, tackling environmental challenges, and creating a meaningful life – only one in ten community projects succeed. Challenges include navigating complex regulations, building strong communication with local authorities, and fostering inclusive decision-making within the group itself.
The Solution: Empowering Communities
This project aims to empower individuals and groups with the tools and methods needed to turn their sustainable community dreams into reality.
An Online Toolkit for Success
The project will create a comprehensive online course packed with resources:
- Curriculum on how to create ecological and sustainable projects
- Videos and training materials
- Online forum for knowledge sharing
This wealth of information, informed by the expertise of the project partners, will guide participants through every step of the process.
Building a Network of Thriving Communities
The project goes beyond simply providing information. It aims to:
- Inspire people to take action and create viable communities
- Develop a curriculum for online training courses
- Facilitate the creation of new learning tools
- Support existing communities in flourishing
The ultimate goal is to see a significant increase in successful sustainable community initiatives across Europe.
Beyond the Project: A Ripple Effect
This project has a broader impact. By empowering citizen-led initiatives, it encourages active participation in public discourse. Additionally, the focus on sustainability aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting a positive environmental and social impact.
This Erasmus+ project is a powerful step towards a future where thriving sustainable communities become the norm. It will launch September 2024 and run until February 2026. A test run of the online training is expected in fall 2025.
