This guide is designed to support local authorities in engaging their communities in Net Zero projects and other related initiatives.

The guide complements 3Ci’s previously published Net Zero Neighbourhood Model. This guide was developed by Connected Places Catapult and 3Ci through continuous dialogue with local authorities, community engagement specialists, academics, and investors. It consolidates their experiences in the field into a concise three-step guide championing engagement beyond consultation while advocating for the highest levels of collaboration and co-production.

The premise is that effective community engagement will result in Net Zero projects that are relevant to local needs, increase sense of ownership and pride, and as a result decrease backlash, leading to de-risked projects that are desirable for investment.

Who is this guide for?

Are you

working for a local authority or a combined authority and want to ensure Net Zero projects are both investible and impactful?

Or

a potential investor in a local authority Net Zero project (or project portfolio) but first want to know how to enhance the project’s viability and sustainable impact while reducing the risk?

Do you want to

• Engage communities actively and inclusively
• Cultivate trust and support within communities
• Leverage local insights for your Net Zero projects
• Mitigate investment risks by ensuring community alignment
• Unlock investment in Net Zero projects
• Deliver Net Zero beyond electoral cycles?

To do this, you need to

• Engage with communities effectively to produce locally relevant and long-term
  solutions beyond the project lifecycle.

This document comprises three sections

Introduction: sets the scene for the guide.

The guide: includes a three-step collaborative framework: co-plan, co-design, and co-deliver, and two ongoing processes: co-communicate and co-evaluate. These steps are dynamic and may be adapted as needed, while emphasising the joint effort (‘co-’) between local authorities and other stakeholders throughout the process. It includes a list of good practices and case studies.

The how: includes further reading materials, toolkits, and complementary guides that will help you with planning and conducting your engagement process.

The guide is intended to be exactly that: a guide, offering timely and ongoing steer and resources, with flexibility to adjust to specific context, needs, and requirements.

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