The Executive gave Keep Scotland Beautiful a grant of
£14,099 for 2002-03 for Eco-Congregation Scotland , the Churches Environmental Programme, a project to
promote resource use, energy and travel issues to church
congregations across Scotland via a new educational programme.
Keep Scotland Beautiful is a national
environmental charity whose aims are to improve the
quality of local environments. The Corporate Plan
concentrated in 2002-03 on waste minimisation,
recycling, re-use, water quality and environmental
education on sustainable development.
The project was a unique award programme for Christian Churches to help them take practical sustainable steps to care
for the environment through their local
communities.
In 2000 pilot work took place testing modules to
cover a range of topics to tackle energy, waste,
transport and biodiversity issues within church
buildings and grounds and local communities. The
concept was launched in Dunblane Cathedral in March
2001 at a national interdenominational service.
However, funding was required to employ a
part-time Project Officer to co-ordinate and manage the
delivery of the project and the grant allowed
this.
The project benefited from support from the Society
Religion and Technology Project of the Church of
Scotland. A steering group was formed with
representatives from the Church of Scotland, the Roman
Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church and Action for
Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS).
By April 2003 over 180 churches had expressed an
interest. 17 churches were registered and working through
the modules and two churches gained Eco-Congregation Scotland awards. There were two newsletters, a
leaflet, displays and powerpoint presentations.
The achievement in 2002-03 led to a successful
application for a sustainable action grant to continue
the project for a
further 3 years.
See more information at
www.ecocongregation.org/scotland
Contact
John Summers
National Director
Keep Scotland Beautiful
7 Melville Terrace
Stirling
FK8 2ND
Telephone: 01786 471333
E-mail:
ksb@encams.org