ConnectSus - Connecting Communities and Enterprise for Sustainability

Business and communities are crucial partners in delivering sustainability action on the ground. Communities are often the first to experience the impacts of climate change and are at the vanguard of sustainability action. With its deep base of expertise, skills and resources business can contribute to, and collaborate with, local communities to deliver more effective action. ConnectSus is a unique and innovative training programme which brings community and business together to imagine and co-produce vision and action for healthy, place-based and circular food systems that are good for people and planet. The programme will explore and review: o key sustainability challenges and how they impact communities and business. o why and how business engages with communities and the benefits o key factors for successful community sustainability initiatives o food systems particularly in relation to local food networks and partnerships o circular economy and food waste o how to form lasting partnerships and collaborate effectively o envisioning positive sustainable futures for your community o creative placemaking o how to leverage policy and other organisation to realise your goals We will explore exemplar successful community action projects and the ingredients of success within these areas. The course will draw on a diverse range of innovative learning approaches to complement formal learning e.g. experiential learning, dialogue, reflection, diaries/journals, imagining, podcasts, citizen science and videos and will include field trips to exemplar communities and demonstrators.