1. Sustainable Communities North East InitiativeBrighter Futures Together Toolkit Helping local people to take simple steps towards improving their neighbourhood. The Sustainable Communities North East Initiative through the Brighter Futures Together toolkit seeks to provide information and practical advice to support community groups and practitioners across North East England, enabling them to undertake local action to improve their neighbourhoods and communities, to help secure our future and improve people’s quality of life. BACKGROUND Launched in 2008 and developed in response to a need expressed by communities and local authorities in North East England, the Sustainable Communities North East Initiative (SCNEI) worked with community groups and expert organisations, amongst a wide range of other partners, to develop a regional community focused toolkit. The Brighter Futures Together toolkit provides a source of information on a range of issues relevant to sustainable communities. It provides guidance and advice at the local level to enable people to take action within their own homes and communities, and to equip them with the skills and confidence to become more involved in local decision-making. The Brighter Futures Together Toolkit The toolkit is organised along the lines of categories for sustainable communities as identified in the Egan Review 2003. Currently covers approximately 40 factsheets that will help communities address economic, social and environmental issues in their community. Each factsheet gives step-by-step guidance, as well as useful contacts for further support. Factsheets have been contributed by a wide range of expert partners, including regional organisations such as Skillshare NE, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, and national groups such as WWF, English Heritage, Media Trust, Sustrans and Traidcraft. The website also features a section of case studies, where groups can learn from other examples and submit their own projects. The Brighter Futures Together Toolkit is a unique initiative in England. Figure 1: The Egan Wheel LOOKING AHEAD What we Learned? The toolkit inspires and facilities action on sustainability by: Providing a tool for the voluntary and community sector to empower, create, plan and implement local projects. It strengthens our communities through local action, and delivers real and sustainable outcomes. Providing a resource for local authorities, businesses and other organisations to work directly with individuals and community groups. It helps to deliver on their economic, environmental and social corporate objectives. The Brighter Futures Together Toolkit is a resource valued by individuals, community groups and practitioners working with and in communities across the North East of England. Next Steps The SCNEI are committed to championing action on sustainability in communities across North East England through the Brighter Futures Together Toolkit. The content and presentation of the toolkit is currently being refreshed to bring it up to date. Beyond March 2012, it will exist solely as online resource. The online toolkit will be disseminated as part of a wider programme beyond March 2012. CONTACT Shruti Jain Sustainable Development Policy Advocate 0191 261 3933 shruti.jain@ northeastcouncils.gov.uk www.brighterfuturestogether.co.uk