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Project title

Sustainable voluntary communities: supports for sustainable environmental, social and economic development

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University of Limerick (UL)

Lead Applicant

Bernadette O'Regan

Project Abstract

This Medium-Scale Multidisciplinary UL-based project with a budget of �229k over 24 months focuses on the role of Citizen-led (Voluntary) Communities in motivating more environmentally sustainable behaviour, in relation to EPA Call Sustainability Pillar Theme 4, Socio-economic aspects of sustainable development, Project 18: � Critically examine community interventions designed to deliver behaviour change..� This research builds on previous projects funded by EPA and utilises our existing databases and international contacts. Research shows that active participation in Sustainable Voluntary Communities raises awareness and understanding of environmental issues and motivates citizens to alter behaviour and adopt more sustainable lifestyles. Compared with other EU states, Irish communities have been slow to embrace Sustainable Urban Development (SUD), often citing lack of information/support. This project aims to increase their number/ambition and success by providing comprehensive support based on achievements elsewhere. Four Workpackages provide (1) Report on socio-economic and environmental gains from existing SUD; (2) Report on relevant case-studies/applications used by successful communities in EU, (3) Report on legal, financial and governance issues which promote or prevent Irish SUD, (4) Project Management. Outputs are free online Decision Support Tool, Explanatory User-Manual; Recommendations to Policymakers regarding legal/financial and governance issues which influence SUD uptake in Ireland. Reporting to EPA: We will provide promptly a Final Report, Synthesis Report, 2-pager and website. Impact on communities: Communities will have free access to an online Decision Support Tool (identification of potentials, governance, technical and management actions and investments, funding, monitoring and verification of impacts), and online manual with technical appendices and worked examples explaining each step in the Decision Support Tool. Impacts anticipated are an increase in Irish communities engaging with SUD, and in time these will gain international accreditation. Involvement with SUD is anticipated to increase awareness, understanding and participation in communities to result in behavioural change to enhance sustainability. Impact on Ireland: It is anticipated that significant involvement in SUD will reduce national greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to better waste and water management, resource efficiency, and improve local biodiversity conservation. Recommendations to Government will identify changes to policies, laws and regulations which encourage SUD in other states and in Ireland, and those in Ireland which may unintentionally hinder progress. It is anticipated that review of such policies will remove roadblocks to SUD. Local Authority planners will be offered workshops. Publications: Papers in open access academic journals will provide a significant contribution to the relevant accessible literature.

Grant Approved

�226,611.25

Research Hub

Sustainability

Research Theme

Socio-Economic Considerations

Start Date

16/01/2017

Initial Projected Completion Date

15/01/2019