Making climate action part of everyday life in Devon through Together for Tomorrow

Over the past year our Community Action Groups (CAG) Devon network has worked alongside Libraries Unlimited and eight partner CAGs to deliver Together for Tomorrow – a joint five-year programme funded by the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund that makes use of local partnerships to expand, inspire and support community-led climate action across Devon.

Together for Tomorrow builds on libraries’ role as trusted, accessible community spaces, creating hubs where people can take practical action on sustainability. As well as aiming to encourage new audiences to use their local libraries, the programme aims to reach and engage with people who may not already see themselves as part of the climate movement.

While a number of libraries in the region were tentatively starting to host sustainability-minded activities for library users, the Together for Tomorrow programme allows them to expand and improve upon this, facilitating film screenings, free bike maintenance sessions, coat and costume swaps, and more.

Listening first, then acting

Understanding communities has been fundamental to the programme. More than 700 people and organisations contributed their views through workshops, event stalls, surveys and one-to-one conversations during the first year. This research explored the barriers that can prevent people getting involved, the messages that resonate with different audiences and the types of activity people are keen to participate in.

The findings are already shaping delivery. Rather than applying a uniform approach across Devon’s 54 libraries, activities are being tailored around the needs and opportunities within individual communities, as well as looking at how audiences currently underrepresented in climate action can be engaged.

Making sustainable choices accessible

Alongside this research, the Together for Tomorrow programme has been experimenting with practical, approachable ways for people to participate.

In partnership with Donate IT, Together for Tomorrow launched four Fixy drop-off points in libraries, giving residents a reliable, permanent location where they can leave their unwanted tech (such as laptops, phones, and small electricals) to be recycled or refurbished and repurposed. Fixy launch events both raised the profile of this initiative within communities and drove the collection of around 250kg of tech in total.

Coat swaps took place across 14 libraries, while Halloween and World Book Day costume swaps provided families with an alternative to buying new. An estimated 320 costumes were donated, with around 250 families participating. Other activities have included bike maintenance, sewing workshops and Stitch and Save groups.

“We had an audience of 30 which for an evening event is wonderful and really filled our space for performances. Lots of people stayed for the discussion afterwards and we had people come along who had not been in the library before (or for a long time). One person remarked on how good it is that libraries now provide so many different opportunities for everyone to enjoy”

Participating library feedback

Reaching new audiences

Together for Tomorrow is already uncovering novel ways for libraries to engage people who do not traditionally use them, with film screenings and ‘Dr Bike’ sessions bringing new visitors through library doors.

A discussion after one screening led to the formation of a new community action group focused on the water quality of its local river. This showed how providing a clear next step can help turn interest into action.

Creating the foundations for lasting change

The first year of Together for Tomorrow has provided an opportunity to test what works, listen to communities and establish the relationships needed to deliver longer-term change.

This has involved the recruitment of a dedicated project team, setting up monitoring and evaluation systems, and gathering insights to shape delivery. Workshops, surveys, events and one-to-one conversations have all help the team to understand motivations, barriers to engagement, and local priorities. This insight will inform the next phase of the programme, alongside ongoing development of Yield, our new community impact measurement and evaluation tool.

With four years remaining of the programme, Together for Tomorrow is building on the groundwork established over the last twelve months. Year two of the project will see the programme increase community engagement across each focus library (particularly those from groups not normally engage with climate action) and help libraries across the county to deliver long-term climate impact.

Together for Tomorrow is being supported by The National Community Fund.