Community energy – join the webinar on 7 May

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We’re partnering with Local Energy Scotland for a webinar and workshop on community energy and developing your own sites – Wednesday 7 May. 

The morning session, 10am-noon, will cover support and funding available to communities to develop renewable energy generation and storage systems with a special focus on solar PV roof and ground-mounted systems. Hear from Local Energy Scotland and other experts. 

The afternoon session, 2pm-4pm, will be an interactive workshop on the ‘dos and don’ts’ of developing community solar systems; gathering information on target sites collectively or individually for development in 2025/26 and beyond. Also how to form a joint action plan to take ambitions to the next stage. 

We are keen to hear from local community organisations with buildings or land in West Lothian who are interested in developing solar PV systems. Others welcome, including local businesses, fellow climate action hubs, or related groups. 

To sign up and for more information email Neil Barnes – [email protected].

Network celebrates a year of climate action

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WLCAN’s members gathered to look back at the Hub’s first year and plan where we’re going next. The Annual Network Gathering took place on Friday 21 February at Howden Park Centre, Livingston. In total 26 organisations were represented, along with individuals involved in community gardens and environmental work. Social enterprises who champion sustainable practice also attended along with West Lothian’s further education, local authority waste education team, and advisers for business and the environment.

WLCAN’s chairperson Ruth Plevin introduced the event. The programme included a promotional video commissioned to tell the story of WLCAN’s first year. Development worker Jocelyn Lockhart presented a report of the Hub and Network’s progress and director Graham Clark announced the third Eco Development Fund Awards.

The audience participation app Slido was used to gather information on WLCAN’s performance and priorities. There was a ‘fishbowl discussion’ with participants given a chance to air their ideas to the room on how to make WLCAN a success. Guest speaker John Keogh from Livingston-based The Ootsider described how he set up a community interest company from scratch to manufacture clothing sustainably. Youth drama group Firefly Arts gave a short performance on the climate theme before the event was closed by WLCAN Treasurer Donald Stavert.

Around this programme, the 47 stallholders and delegates had the chance to network and share ideas for how to help each other, from offering digital expertise on social media to sharing physical resources.

The outcomes of the Gathering are being discussed and will be developed into firm plans. Early ideas include setting up a shared platform where members can connect directly with each other to ask for things to help their projects.

Annual members’ gathering – 21 February

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We’re gathering on 21 February to mark WLCAN’s first year. This member groups’ event will be at Howden Park Centre in Livingston where we held our launch. Network members will showcase their work and meet each other, decide on WLCAN’s priorities for the coming year and hear speakers.  There is the opportunity to host a stall or to visit as a delegate. If you’d like to know more get in touch.

 

New Eco Fund – apply now

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Exciting news, a new round of our Eco Development Fund is going live. Up to £13,000 is available with member groups able to apply for a maximum of £3,000 per project. The deadline for applications will be 9 February (late bids may be considered subject to demand).

Pre-existing and successful projects from​ the last two rounds can apply to expand their work. We are keen to receive proposals in relation to our upcoming focus on the theme of community transport and active travel, but will consider all relevant climate action areas.

Groups will have until 31 March 2025 to spend their funding. Successful applicants will be informed before 21 February. 

To apply, check the guidelines and fill in the application form. See some highlights of previously funded projects and the full awards lists here.

Any questions, get in touch.

WLCAN joins national climate coalition

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We’re looking forward to activity with other organisations from across the country as part of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland. We’ve joined this coalition with over 70 organisations to campaign together for climate action and justice.

Read more about SCCS here.

It’s important to work together and act on climate change, and WLCAN Hub is committed to developing positive relationships that achieve meaningful outcomes.

Winter energy advice

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It was great to hold our first energy drop in session this week and the next one is in Whitburn on Monday 2 December, with two sessions – 10am-2pm and 4pm-8pm at Whitburn Community Education Centre. We’re visiting communities across the region over winter to deliver advice on how to save money on energy and heating bills, and install insulation and draught-proofing. We’re also running climate action workshops to promote understanding of the links between energy use and climate change. We’ll publicise all  these events on social media, website and newsletters as well as in communities.

Gather and Glow

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We’re visiting communities across the region over winter to deliver advice on how to save money on energy and heating bills, and install insulation and draught-proofing. Some events are drop-ins at community venues. There will also be online advice sessions with energy experts. We’re also running climate action workshops to promote understanding of the links between energy use and climate change. We’ll publicise all  these events on social media, website and newsletters as well as in communities. The next drop-in is on Friday 29 November, 10am-1pm at Fauldhouse Hub, Main Street, Fauldhouse.

Orchard trees up for grabs – apply by Sunday

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We have orchard trees available for planting now. These were bought using some of our first Eco Development Fund and are available for members. The application link can be found here. Deadline is this Sunday, 27 October.

Any community groups or organisations not already a member can join WLCAN easily and quickly, the form is here.

Water event – a deluge of concerns that need action now

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West Lothian Water Confluence, hosted with River Almond Action Group, provided a close focus on pollution, contamination and the causes of flooding. Many thanks to those from the spheres of environmental science, angling, community action groups and citizens who attended, along with Bathgate and Linlithgow’s MP Kirsteen Sullivan, and to River Almond Action Group – RAAG for organising the event in Linlithgow on 28 September. Our report is ready to take forward – and to – relevant bodies. The pollution of waterways and sources simply must be addressed, and urgently.

Participants voted for three key actions: to create a vision for clean water in Scotland; better regulation and enforcement; to achieve accountability. The conference and outcomes are detailed in the report, which is available here.

In addition, the report for the Bathgate Summit on Climate earlier in September is available here.  This is the summary report, for the fuller one please email [email protected]

 

Bathgate Climate Summit – report now available

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Residents and community groups in Bathgate attended a summit to help formulate an action plan for climate change locally. The event took place at Boghall Church Hall on Tuesday, 3 September, where some of Bathgate’s people decided the climate priorities for the town. WLCAN will use the action template for other locations across the region to formulate plans tailored to each area. The short summary report is available here. For the full report please email [email protected]. Keep an eye on our news section and social media for where we’re heading next – or if you would like your town or village to host us to hear residents’ climate concerns, get in touch.

WLCAN is also helping to gather stories to map evidence that shows the impact of climate related events on communities.  We’re collaborating in Climate Ready South East Scotland with the charity Sniffer and five other climate action hubs. Stories are being collected onto a national map – you can add yours here: Climate map.