Success with the Green Champions Programme

During 2025, we’ve been supporting 10 member organisations to undertake the Investors in the Environment (iiE) Green Champions course and implement sustainability initiatives within their organisations.

A handful of participants have now completed the e-learning aspect and received their certificates. These include a staff member or volunteer from Amaze, SpeakOut and Hollingdean Community Centre. All have worked through modules on:

• Carrying out basic environmental audits
• Using data to track performance & influence decision making
• Developing action plans and setting targets
• Practical tools to cut carbon and waste
• How to engage staff/ co-workers and communicate your commitment to sustainability

Hannah from Amaze said: “The e-learning course was really clear and fairly quick to do. It’s helped us rewrite our Environmental Policy and produce our Environmental Action Plan, which were both due for review. The course meant we could do the refresh in a more meaningful way, with a greater understanding of some of the possibilities”

Polly from Hollingdean Development Trust told us: “The Green Champions e-course has given me a good understanding of priorities and process for our organisation. I’m also aware of the importance of involving all the trustees and staff as we develop these. This will help to significantly reduce any negative impact our organisation has on the Environment as well as saving money & being more efficient. I very much appreciate being able to do this training.”

About the Green Champion Programme

The iiE Green Champions course is a short online training to equip individuals to drive sustainable change within their own organisations. It’s suitable for organisations of any size.

Community Works is covering the cost of the e-course for 10 member organisations per year via the city-wide Climate for Communities Programme funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Alongside the e-course, our Green Champion programme participants are invited to engage in peer-support and training facilitated by Community Works.

This year’s sessions have included:

• A practical introductory session on involving teams in environmental reviews, identifying resources, and setting realistic sustainability targets.
• A visit to Hollingdean Community Centre to explore the Centre’s climate-action measures, including solar panels, composting systems, and a thriving community garden.
• Waste management workshop delivered by Cat Fletcher, co-founder of Freegle UK and the driving force behind the Free Shop at the London Road Open Market.
• A series of online co-working sessions giving Green Champions focused time to work on the e-course or implement their climate-action plans.

We are currently operating a waiting list for the 2026–27 cohort and have spaces available for 2027–28.

For more information, email: magda@communityworks.org.uk