We gave a 3-year grant of £100,000 in 2001-02 to
2003-04 to BTCV Scotland. The grant was to relaunch BTCV Scotland's Community
Local Action Network (CLAN) to work with communities to
improve their local environment, developing sustainable
action across Scotland .
The CLAN Project
The CLAN project supported groups in towns and cities
as well as remote rural communities. Some groups are established specifically for an
environmental project, whilst for others this is simply one
aspect of their community activity. A ll share a desire to influence positively and shape
their surroundings. The CLAN message is that everyone has a
stake in their local environment and each of us can make a
difference - we can all do a little to change a
lot!
BTCV has over 40 years' experience in helping
people improve their environment offering low cost
training throughout the year in subjects such as
wildlife identification, habitat management, waste
minimisation and recycling, composting, the use of
mechanised tools and vehicles, first aid, project
management, fencing, dyking, footpath construction,
hedgelaying, rural crafts, and fundraising and
publicity.
Those involved vary in age, background and
experience and include: youth projects, schools,
Community Councils, amenity societies, student bodies,
gardening clubs, residents associations, special needs
groups, conservation volunteers, community groups,
ethnic minority groups, recycling and waste
minimisation groups.
To suit groups' differing circumstances there are
two levels of CLAN membership: association and
registration. Associated CLAN groups have access to
BTCV's insurance scheme (essential to any group
undertaking practical activities). The insurance scheme
provides Public Liability Insurance and Personal
Accident Insurance. Additional cover is available for
Tools (Fire and Theft) Insurance and Employers
Liability Insurance.
BTCV's CLAN Gatherings are free to members of all
registered and associated CLAN groups. They organise three
Gatherings a year across Scotland to give everyone the opportunity to share
experiences, pick up new information and techniques, and
discuss what works (and what doesn't). Environmental
training skills course are usually run alongside those
covering subjects such as funding, volunteer recruitment,
marketing and risk assessment. Most Gatherings end with a
social activity - usually a Ceilidh.
Project activity
In 2002 the CLAN Gatherings themes were:
The Glasgow Gathering on 16 February
covered urban issues such as sustainability and
wildlife gardening in an urban environment as
well as dealing with project development and
raising group profiles.
The Inverness Gathering on 23 February
was a more informal event where groups could
join together and share their ideas and
experiences.
The Central Scotland Forest Gathering in
September continued the Treefest 2002 theme in
partnership with the Central Scotland Countryside
Trust and Oatridge Agricultural College .
The CLAN project met or exceeded targets:
447 member groups achieved by March 2004;
9 gatherings: Glasgow (x2), Inverness , Broxburn (x2), Turriff, Grangemouth, Fortrose,
Denny. Overall attendance of over 600 people;
64 training courses for community group members
organised by March 2004;
9 Conserver magazines and 9 CLAN Bulletins;
CLAN advisors and BTCV Scotland local staff have
given telephone and first hand advice, as well as advice
through gatherings and literature to hundreds of groups;
102 local groups are now covered by BTCV
insurance.
Conclusion
There is a need for work illustrating the social and
environmental scope of sustainable development, working on
all fronts to deliver sustainable solutions for communities
in Scotland . The Executive believed it should support a project
intended to inform, communicate and debate sustainability
issues - including recycling, conservation, biodiversity
and community development.
"Meeting the Needs" recognised the importance of
biodiversity: "for many people, the maintenance and
enhancement of biodiversity is the core issue of
sustainable development" (para 27).
In environmental justice the Executive recognises two
important strands - firstly that of the poor environments
in which our poorest people live and secondly that of
public participation. The Executive wants to give
communities the information and the rights to have greater
control over their environments, and to encourage and
enable public participation.
Contact
David Jamieson
BTCV Scotland
Balallan House
24 Allan Park
Stirling
FK8 2QG
Telephone: 01786 479697
Email:
d.jamieson@btcv.org.uk
www.btcv.org