2019-05-07 P&E Agenda - Item 3 - Attachment 1 - Noosa Sustainability Institute - Concepts and Options Report

Appendix C
Data from Assessment of Existing Institutes
Community based/focused institutes:
    Provide online resources for education; factsheets available; reference lists of local sustainable
     eco-businesses and tradesmen.
    Preservation of a legacy in some instances.
    Assistance provided to communities globally, to address environmental, economic and social
     challenges to build and shape a better future for all.
    Provide education and training to community members to provide them with the skills and tools.
     required to inspire active citizenship, protect the environment and take on climate change.
    Actively engage members of the local community and work with local non-profit organisations.
    Pioneering approaches to creating socially diverse ecological communities.
    Space for people to explore approaches to creating more equitable society.
    Promoting ways of living that sustain rather than destroy the eco-system within which society is
     embedded.
    Living and learning centres, with strong focus on individuals and small groups.
    Green houses and buildings on display; observe off grid houses and homes in action.
    Public space and community hub, connecting like-minded individuals and groups.
    Focus on the strength of the individual and small groups – making a difference through living and
     promoting a sustainable lifestyle.
    Citizen science promoted.
    Community owned and operated centres/groups that engage with the community and respond
     to local needs and issues.
    Provide a diverse range of community and environmental services, including reference material,
     referrals, volunteer programs, workshops and seminars, training and field days, meeting space,
     information, recycling, resources and equipment.
    Focus on driving behaviour change, sustainable living and environmental connection.
    Workshops focus on eco-friendly lifestyle such as clothing as medicine, textile jewellery making,
     flower workshops for children, bee keeping, permaculture, film nights, campfire nights etc.
    Some offer purpose built educational facilities offering learning programs for students and the
     community.
    Online presence for programs such as ‘Water Warriors’, bird counts, catchment care programs,
     build-your-own self watering, self-contained vegetable garden.
    Indigenous knowledge programs.
    Showcasing sustainable homes and gardens.
    Some offer research opportunities such as utilising the facilities to investigate aspects of
     renewable building materials, organic gardening methods etc.
    Offer or support local growers and makers markets.
    Display spaces available in some for companies with an eco-friendly and sustainable outlook to
     promote themselves.
    Funding through some government groups, NGOs, philanthropists, partner organisations.




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