View source for Second SCP workshop

The second [[Sustainable Communities Programme]] workshop took place in Brussels on September 23rd and 24th 2019. It was supported by a small grant from [https://assembly.fundaction.eu/ FundAction], and timed to coincide with follow-up events to the [[European Day of Sustainable Communities]] and kick-off meeting for the [[Ecovillage transition in action]] project. It was attended by around 30 in-person participants.

== Context Setting ==
The workshop began with a mapping exercise based on the Berkana Institute's [https://berkana.org/about/our-theory-of-change/ two loops model], facilitated by Davie Philip.

== Insights from Existing Initiatives ==
A fishbowl discussion began with reports from key actors in several existing cases of transformative regional initiatives: the [[Sustainable Neighbourhoods Programme]], the [[Bioregional Learning Centre]], the [[Living in Sustainable Villages project]] and [[Moray ecovillage development]]. Further discussion, also involving other participants, identified key challenges and success factors.
=== Key Patterns Observed ===
* Collaboration with local government is often key. Green parties can be important catalysts (as was the case in Freiburg)
* Participatory budgeting can be a great activator, and help make resources available
* The value of long-term continuity: for example 10 years for the Sustainable Neighbourhoods in Brussels, enabled by working with local authorities
* The importance of stories of place - really sinking into where we are and the richness of relationships - and the art of building that undestanding of place through listening 
* The importance peer to peer inspiration
* The need for people with a clear sense of vision
* Concern about replicability in contexts beyond Northern Europe, where public funding (a key ingredient in all successful projects) might be less avalable
* Build on what’s there already

== Documentation ==
* [https://docs.google.com/document/d/14FKp12U3Q1AoM_Ul_TQjidKhLNMLsj_pOViGRAnlUpE/edit Programme]
* [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mrNU24uWyPXX5v2xe8oCH1MBwRtGBB0nwutT9Q9ZwN4/edit Notes]