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Working in partnership to support wider community action

Voluntary and community sector organisations play a critical role in helping communities to meet their needs and improve quality of life locally.

'Securing the Future', the Government's Sustainable Development Strategy was launched by the Prime Minister in March 2005. It set out a new purpose and set of underpinning principles for sustainable development in the UK. It also emphasised the importance of community involvement and contained a series of commitments to support wider community action on sustainable development.

Since the launch of the Strategy, a wide range of national organisations have now indicated their support for the principles of sustainable development and have also recognized the importance of supporting communities to put these principles into practice. They have also committed to further explore the way in which Government, communities and the voluntary and community sector can work together to secure a more sustainable future for all.

These organisations are :

Statements in support for 'Together we can secure the future'

Action with Communities in Rural England

ACRE and the network of 38 Rural Community Councils (RCCs) have long adopted the principles of sustainable development in enabling local rural communities throughout England to improve their quality of life. Local rural action generally works through more holistic small-scale projects that combine social, environmental and economic outcomes, so we have no hesitation in supporting the overall government Strategy on Sustainable Development and it's aims to engage wider community action through the 'Together we can secure the future' initiative.'

Black Environmental Network

BEN welcomes the principle of joint work that is essential in order to involve everyone. We support moves to enable the vast potential contribution that ethnic communities can make to come forward .

BTCV

BTCV welcomes both the publication of the Sustainable Development Strategy and the emphasis on community engagement. BTCV is wholly committed to supporting Defra in its current programme 'Together we can secure the future' - taking forward community action on sustainable development

Civic Trust, Community Development Foundation, Groundwork UK

We welcome the launch of 'Together we can' and the proposal by the Government to launch a programme to highlight and link the community engagement aspects of many of their existing programmes. We are pleased that that one aim of this programme is secure a healthy and sustainable future for all. As an organisation within the Voluntary and Community Sector across England we support the principle of sustainable development and the overall aims of the new Sustainable Development Strategy.

We are pleased to see that the Government recognises that community organisations have an important role to play in creating a more sustainable future. Accordingly we support moves to ensure that the communities with whom we work have access to the information and support they need to help create that sustainable future .

Organisations supporting 'Together We Can secure the future'

Action for Communities in Rural England supports sustainable rural community development by providing a national platform to alleviate rural disadvantage in England.

Black Environment Network works to integrate social, cultural and environmental concerns in the context of sustainable development by working across diverse sectors.

BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) is the UK's leading charity creating better environments where people feel valued, included and involved.

Community Development Foundation works to strengthen communities by ensuring effective participation of people in determining the conditions which affect their lives.

Community Links runs community based projects in East London, and also helps vulnerable children, young people and adults every year.

Community Sector Coalition aims to promote a community development perspective based on the experiences of its members, and to influence national policy on a wide range of issues and themes.

Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens provides a range of services, advice and support for city farms and community gardens, whether they are well-established or just getting off the ground.

Groundwork UK makes sustainable development a reality in communities in the UK which are in need of investment and support.

National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service helps to promote voluntary and community action by supporting member CVS and by acting as a national voice for the local voluntary and community sector.

National Federation of Women's Institutes educates women to enable them to provide an effective role in the community, to expand their horizons and to develop and pass on important skills.

National Tenants Resource Centre offers training and support to people living and working in disadvantaged communities in the UK, to develop their skills, confidence and capacity to tackle problems and reverse poor conditions.

Volunteering England works to promote volunteering as a powerful force for change, both for those who volunteer and for the wider community.

WWF conserves endangered species, protects threatened habitats and addresses global threats.

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Updated: 8 January 2009

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