We have finished developing our new strategy for 25/26 and are looking for final input from members!
The strategy has been informed by what we have learned from members over the past year and their thoughts on how we should move forwards in the year ahead.
If you have any feedback, comments or thoughts on the strategy, please send them to Abi at abi.wardlaw@midlothianclimateaction.org.uk
Establish Four Thematic circles with a diverse array of groups
Based on our discussions with members in 24/25 , we are developing four thematic circles for focused discussions, learning opportunities, peer support and information sharing around key focus areas. The four Thematic Circles will be Food, Energy, the Circular Economy and Biodiversity.
We anticipate that these circles will create a vision as an initial action, before developing some local projects (some ideas of which have already been suggested!) that can be supported by the hub and wider network.
Increasing member groups skills and knowledge in adaptation and mitigation
The hub staff team will prioritise supporting our members to communicate factual and well-explained data, stories and other information to highlight the importance of grassroots community groups working to build local resilience.
We anticipate working in line with the finalised Local Place Plans, offering support to members and other community groups as they look to climate-proof their local environment and raise awareness.
We will deliver trainings sessions across the year in response to member demand, but we anticipate this including at least two training sessions focused on funding and grants to support community groups and member organisations in accessing larger funds than the network is able to provide.
We also plan to encourage the growth of local partnerships, hosting at least three localised member gatherings. We plan for these to be more informal social gatherings, to get to know each other as well as discussing collaboration.
Creating and Developing projects by working together!
As mentioned, we plan for projects to be developed under the four Thematic Circles. This could result in hub staff taking on more project-focused work or supporting a member organisation who has capacity to develop the project on behalf of the network – this will be determined on a case-by-case basis as the Circle makes decisions about the most appropriate way to work in the local context.
We will also issue another call for Seedcorn Funding. Our intention is to do this in the next few months to ensure organisations have enough time to implement their projects. We will be basing the funding pots on member feedback from previous rounds of funding.
Supporting Members to engage with climate emergency Policy
Hub staff plan on staying up to date with relevant policy in Midlothian through attendance of multiple groups and connections with relevant decision makers. We will prioritise making complex policies and plans available to members and others in a way that makes engagement accessible.
We will also continue to engage with relevant Scottish Government policy and work to communicate this effectively to members to ensure they are able to respond and/or communicate it to their local community. Where appropriate we will respond to consultations on behalf of members.
Managing the MCAN Network
The hub will continue to work on the governance and strategic direction of the network. This includes continuing to seek out new members, particularly focusing on underrepresented areas, and look to recruit new Steering Group members representing new areas.
We will also work to monitor the hub and network activity, as well as who we are able to reach with our events. There will be resources devoted to identifying the best structure for the network and hub going forward.
