Apply for support around setting up or running a community hub where you live

Greener & Cleaner (stars of our last Spotlight call) are developing a comprehensive blueprint package to encourage others to set up hubs like theirs. 

There is also the chance to work with Greener & Cleaner to access funded support for community groups, charities, grassroots organisations, and council officers, and to be notified when the Blueprint Package is ready. Find out more here

1. Blueprint Package

Greener & Cleaner are developing a comprehensive template/blueprints package to encourage others to set up hubs like Greener & Cleaner. It is not let live but will include:

• How to negotiate shopping centre/shop leases
• How to secure zero rates
• Workshop and activity ideas with demographic engagement data
• Impact data and research findings
• Template forms and slide decks
• Carbon literacy training materials
• Funding strategies and diversification approaches

Two ways to use it:

• You might want to set up a local hub from scratch using the blueoprint
  Or
• Cherry-pick elements to strengthen existing organisations (expected to be 75-80% of use)

2. Free One-to-One Consultations

There is also the chance to work with Greener & Cleaner to access funded support for community groups, charities, grassroots organisations, and council officers to:

• Explore whether a community hub is feasible
• Get advice on specific elements (partnerships, fundraising, space selection, staffing, training)
• Take the next steps on their journey

3. Community Sustainability Support Network for England (CSSN)

Launching April 2026 - Community groups across England often operate in isolation, with limited opportunities to share resources, collaborate on funding bids, or learn from each other's successes and challenges - unless they're part of specific models like Transition Towns or CECs. While Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland already have government-funded networks supporting grassroots sustainability work, England lacks a central, non-branded space where groups can connect, share templates and research, and collaborate. The Community Sustainability Support Network (CSSN) that Greener & Cleaner are setting up aims to fill this gap.

CSSN plans to offer:

• Monthly gatherings for peer learning and case study sharing
• Space for members to present challenges and get peer support
• Highlighting funding opportunities
• Collaboration on funding bids - connect with groups doing similar work across England
• Members-only resource library (tagged by topic: air pollution, elderly, cost of living, etc.)
• Public-facing map of all member organisations so people can find local groups

Want to set up something similar?

Immediate ACTions:

1. Sign up here for updates, and you'll get notified when Greener & Cleaner's Blueprint Package is ready
2. Request a free UK-wide one-to-one consultation with Parisaf from Greener & Cleaner if you're interested in:
   • Setting up a community hub or permanent space
   • Exploring feasibility in your area
   • Getting advice on specific challenges

Join the Community Sustainability Support Network (CSSN - launching March 2026)

• Sign up via the expression of interest form
• Network with groups across England
• Access shared resources
• Collaborate on funding bids

Start your own Hub:

Before setting up something from scratch:

• See if you can join and exisiting group rather than duplicating effort
• Google and search Facebook for existing groups using terms like "community sustainability" and "community climate" to find what's already happening in your area.
• Check existing networks (Transition Towns, CECs) for local groups

If starting new:

• Have conversations with people locally (pubs, cafés, school gates)
• Start with what people care about (cost of living, loneliness, health), not just the environment
• Make it visible and regular
• Choose accessible, mainstream locations and consider facilities to ensure inclusivity for all.
• Scale appropriately - could be a post office on Sunday afternoons in a small village, or 5 days/week in a shopping centre
• Focus on peer-to-peer skill sharing
• Keep language non-political and inclusive