This article is an offshoot of Community action London focusing on community resources and assets. Resources such as networks, events and community involvement (people and relationships) can be considered as primary resources. Also resources are the activism and physical assets (or what citizens value), such as green spaces and biodiversity, cycle lanes, food initiatives, etc, from the other London community pages.
The majority of our information about resources is collated via our place pages...Near you.
Library of things[edit | edit source]
Library of Things is a women-led circular economy start-up affordably renting out useful items like drills, sound systems and sewing machines from high street hubs like libraries. Having developed the service in London since 2016, we are now working with local authorities, businesses and communities to bring borrowing to every neighbourhood that wants it. This is all part of fulfilling our mission to make borrowing better than buying – for individuals, communities and the planet.[1]
News and comment
2021
2021: Year in Review, Library of Things, Dec 16[2]
Visions[edit | edit source]
- Changing London
- Another London: Visions of a Future City, Wildonomics
- Welcome to The Greater London National Park*, officially a Notional Park
Community energy[edit | edit source]
Repowering, empowering communities with clean, local energy, link checked 19:32, 1 August 2023 (UTC)
Community and voluntary action[edit | edit source]
- Just Space, Community groups cooperating on London planning
- London Advice Services Alliance
Video[edit | edit source]
more video: Highlights from the Urban Green Fair 2010 - Greenfest 2010, a celebration of cycling and environmental stuff, 2 Aug 2010 - Ed Fordham at Camden Green Fair 2008
Free stuff[edit | edit source]
Citizens data initiative[edit | edit source]
Environment quality: A recent study from King's College in London estimated that, in London alone, roughly 9,500 premature deaths each year are linked to high levels of air pollution.[3]
Blog, London data store - London's Poverty Profile
Funding[edit | edit source]
London Mayor's Office and Spacehive[edit | edit source]
The London Mayor's Office has teamed up with the U.K.-based civic crowdfunding service Spacehive to support community driven initiatives throughout the city.
Local groups placing projects on the platform can apply for a pledge from the Mayor of up to £20,000 ($25,960). The "Regeneration" office (which belongs to the Greater London Authority) uses several criteria to judge the projects. Their endorsement not only gives a direct financial boost, but also makes the projects more visible and credible for other potential donors, thus attracting more and bigger donations. The city government assists in other ways as well, such as setting up meetings with key stakeholders and helping project initiators to find good consultants to maximize impact and to support delivery. The goal is to innovate with a limited amount of money, empower people to participate in developing the city, and promote citizen power and new forms of engagement.
According to the city of London's website, 57 projects have been supported in the first three rounds; with £800,000 ($1.03 million) worth of pledges made by the Mayor, leveraging more than £900,000 ($1.16 million) of crowdfunding match from more than 6,000 backers. Campaigns backed by the Mayor had a 95 percent success rate, compared to a 47 percent average success rate for those that did not get such support.
Initial evaluation has revealed significant social impact. Local groups delivering projects have cited increased civic pride, skill development, new community bonds and improved knowledge of the planning and development process as consequences of the program.[4]
Learn more from:
Civic Crowdfunding Programme (Spacehive)
Other links[edit | edit source]
Maps[edit | edit source]
- Livingmaps Network, network of researchers, community activists, artists and others with a common interest in the use of counter mapping for social change, public engagement, critical debate and creative forms of community campaigning. added 14:13, 31 March 2022 (UTC)
Charge point map, Source London - Find your nearest fountain - London Neighbourhood Forums, February 2013 (PDF) - Mapping for Change - OpenEcoMaps uses OpenStreetMap - Staying 'Cool' in the City
Cycling: Central London Grid
Education: London Sustainable Schools Map
Environment quality: How polluted is my road?
Food: London Community Food Map
Open spaces:
Trees, woodland and forest: Map of London trees maintained by local authorities
Walking: #walklondon
Research[edit | edit source]
Centre for London is London's dedicated think tank. Based in the UK, it undertakes research and organises events aimed at developing new solutions to the capital's critical challenges. The Centre, which is politically independent, advocates for a fair and prosperous global city.
The Centre is a registered charity. It is funded by a mixture of public, private and third sector supporters.
Apps for sustainability[edit | edit source]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Topic overview: Community resources, Visions, Community energy, Community and voluntary action, Free stuff, Citizens data initiative, Maps for community action
- UK context: Community resources UK, Visions UK, Community energy UK, Community and voluntary action UK, Citizens data initiative UK
local information can be found, or shared, via our many UK location pages