Sustainability in the Third Sector

Sustainability is something that is becoming increasingly important to third sector organisations.  The push can come from a variety of sources; team members or service users might want to see the organisation start taking it more seriously.  Funders and commissioners increasingly want to see the organisations they support look more closely at environmental sustainability.  For example environmental responsibility is now one of Arts Council England’s four key investment principles.  https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/lets-create/strategy-2020-2030/investment-principles

However for many in the third sector, particularly smaller organisations, it can be difficult to know exactly where to start.

A key starting point should be to define what is important to the organisation.  If this is being driven by particular stakeholders it’s essential to understand what is important to them.  If there isn’t specific pressure we have more latitude to chose what we want to focus on, but at the moment climate change and reducing pollution is likely to be a central concern.

Once we’ve decided where we want to start the next step is communication.  Starting with a statement of intent, or a basic policy document, is a good move and provides a foundation for communication, even if it isn’t itself made public at this point.

The important thing is to start to get key people on board.  A clear statement of what we want to achieve and why, is at the core of this.  For example reducing climate emissions in order to be more attractive to funders and protect the planet for our children.  Or maybe increase the variety of plants and wildlife in a community garden to improve biodiversity and make a more relaxing space for residents.  Keeping it brief and specific in the early stages is really helpful.

Once we have an initial plan of what we want to achieve we can do an initial assessment of where the organisation is at, and a plan of how to start improving.  Starting with quick wins helps build momentum and lets people see that changes are actually happening.  For example just turning off equipment that isn’t in use, or planting some wildflowers in the building’s grounds.

All organisations have finite resources, but this is particularly the case for the third sector.  However one of the great assets that many third sector organisations have is volunteers.  If you can get them on board, they can be a source of energy and enthusiasm at all levels from the board to the front line.

Funding, or other forms of finance, may also be available for specific projects or actions that help improve long term sustainability, particularly they they also improve financial sustainable by reducing ongoing expenditure.

There is a specific funding stream that has recently opened (with a deadline of 29th Feb) - the VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme which can provide grants to help third sector organisations improve their energy efficiency.   https://www.groundwork.org.uk/vcseenergyefficiency/

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