Environment Building sustainable habits

Do you have a few local friends who are interested in adopting some sustainable habits together? Eco-neighbourhoods is a project giving communities funding and support for exactly that and it’s now running in more local board areas. 

Eco-Neighbourhoods is an opportunity for like-minded neighbours across local areas to connect and be supported in finding fun, collaborative ways to make a real difference for the planet. The purpose is to lift community driven efforts in reducing waste and carbon emissions. 

Actions can include group activities like working bees and hosting workshops with neighbours around different sustainability kaupapa (topics or projects.) Think growing and sharing local food, becoming more energy efficient, shifting to sustainable travel modes, repairing and fixing household items like bikes, electronics and clothes. Larger projects like setting up a community pantry or book library on your street, or hosting a local food swap or fix-up day are also encouraged and supported.  

A grouping of minimum five households can register as an ‘Eco-Neighbourhood.’ Registered Neighbourhoods are then eligible for up to $1000 towards their activities with a minimum of at least two activities a year. Funding is available for a set number of groups in each area. The funding comes from local boards and is managed by local community facilitators, like myself, who support the groups in their projects. 

The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board is now fully subscribed in terms of neighbourhoods, however you can still join one of the existing neighbourhoods in our area to be part of the action. You can also encourage friends or whānau in other boards to start a group of their own. Eco-Neighbourhoods is now running in Albert-Eden, Puketāpapa, Ōtara-Papatoetoe, and Upper Harbour local board areas. 

To learn more or find a group near you, email Ben Sheeran at baysworkinprogress@gmail.com or alternatively, visit Ōrewa Community Garden and see what they have built for our community with support from Eco-Neighbourhoods.