Community Environment Network Advisory Group
A good environment helps communities in the West Midlands live healthier, fairer, greener, and more prosperous lives. The Network will aim to unite the many community groups working on environment action, boost their efforts, and also inspire and support new groups.
To create a network of community based organisations delivering projects involving the environment.
- To link environment activities to the everyday lives and interests of local communities.
- Increase agency within communities to take environment action by building relevant skills and knowledge across the Network.
- Improve the environment at a community level through delivery of more and higher quality environment initiatives.
- Develop peer-to-peer learning, with community connections made across the WMCA.
- To reach and engage with broader demographics of communities across the West Midlands.
- To create an open dialogue between the WMCA, Local Authorities and communities to influence regional policy and environment delivery.
- Collaboration and influencing future sustainability of the sector to deliver climate action.
- Supporting organisations to communicate their impact and measure their social value.
- Improved access to nature through projects that protect and enhance biodiversity.
- Improved air quality through reducing exposure to pollutants thereby improving health and wellbeing.
- Reduced waste and materials, provide communities with easily accessible tools, equipment and repair services.
- Community resilience to the impacts of climate change by implementing adaptation measures.
The Network will offer fluid support that is directed by the wants and needs of the Network.
To help build and support the start of the Community Environment Network, we are setting up an Advisory Group, comprising of 7 members to help us develop the network.
The group will take a practical role in deciding what activities and support is offered, advising on logistics, planning and funding as well as helping to grow the Networks membership.
They will take a strategic view of ensuring there is an open dialogue between communities and the WMCA and Local Authorities. They will also make sure that the Network supports a wide range of diverse communities, within all areas of the region, to help deliver climate action.
They will make the links between environment activities and the everyday operations and activities of local communities to help increase their agency in taking climate action. They will highlight community funding opportunities to share with the Network and help to develop peer-to-peer learning across the region.
Advisory Group Roles
This Advisory Group member will have links into the health sector. We are looking to recruit a health focused Group member to make the links between environment focused community activities and the associated health benefits. We would like this member to support in making the links into the green prescribing networks across the region.
These two Advisory Group members will ensure the Network is diverse and supports a wide range of community groups, that aren’t environment focused. They will have strong links to community groups who focus on, but not limited to, faith, disabilities, homelessness, youth support or underrepresented communities.
Remuneration: £50 voucher per Advisory Group meeting (4x per year)
Requirements
- Must be part of and represent a community-based organisation within the WMCA region. This could include working for or volunteering at a charity, CIC or SME.
- Must commit to being part of the Advisory Board of a 12-month term.
These two Advisory Group members will work at a Local Authority within the WMCA region. They will lead on either environment and sustainability or be part of community outreach teams. They will support in linking local authority led schemes into the Network and supporting with outreach.
These two Advisory Group members will work at and/or volunteer with community organisation(s) within the region. They will ensure the Network delivers the right type of support to community groups and support with growing the Network membership.
Remuneration: £50 voucher per Advisory Group meeting (4x per year)
Requirements
- Must be part of and represent a community-based organisation within the WMCA region. This could include working for or volunteering at a charity, CIC or SME.
- Must commit to being part of the Advisory Board of a 12-month term.
Time Commitment
The Group will meet 4x per year, either online or in-person depending on the preference of the group.
These meetings shall be no more than 1.5 hours.
We would also like Advisory Group members to attend at least one in-person event held by the Network, for them to see the Networks delivery in action.
The Advisory Group term is for 12 months upon which members can step down or carry on for a maximum period of 2-years.
The application process is simple
1. Submit your Expression of Interest through the short form here.
2. An internal working group will meet to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and we have a representative from each Local Authority area.
3. We shall email you on the outcome of your application by week commencing the 28th April 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to submit the Expression of Interest Form, please ensure you meet the following criteria;
- Must live or work within the West Midlands Combined Authority Region.
- Must be able to dedicate the time commitment stated above.
- If you are applying for the Inclusive Communities Lead or the Communities Lead, you must either work, or volunteer at a charity, CIC or SME.
- The Local Authority Leads are only available for Local Authority Officers within the WMCA region to apply for.
- The Health Lead is only available for either a health professional and/or a social perscribing professional to apply for.