A new five-year project funded by £1.5 million from the National Lottery will support communities across Devon to create repair and reuse hubs in libraries.
Funded through the National Lottery Climate Action Fund, the project supports the goals of the Devon Carbon Plan, which sets out a roadmap to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
The Together for Tomorrow project will be led by Libraries Unlimited, the charity commissioned to run libraries in Devon and Torbay, in partnership with Resource Futures through CAG Devon – a network of grassroots sustainability groups – and will involve a range of local partners across the region.
Alex Kittow, Chief Executive of Libraries Unlimited, commented: “Libraries are at the heart of our communities, so it makes perfect sense for them to be a catalyst for change.
Libraries are at the heart of our communities, so it makes perfect sense for them to be a catalyst for change.
“Together for Tomorrow will bring people together through collaboration, creativity and shared learning – creating a model of community-led climate action that others across the UK can follow. Real change starts where people are – and for many, that’s their local library.”
The project aims to connect new and existing groups, offer training and resources, and help communities reduce waste.
Resources Futures says the community hubs could feature repair cafés, community fridges, growing schemes, sewing groups, and workshops on low-waste living.
Commenting on the funding, Charlie Eddisford, Communities Lead at Resource Futures, said: “We’re thrilled to be co-leading this ambitious initiative that empowers communities to take meaningful, everyday climate action.”
