One year ago, the Welcoming Association Edinburgh received funding from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund to deliver a new and exciting project – Welcoming a Greener Future.
The project aims to raise awareness of climate change and support migrant and refugee communities in Edinburgh to save energy.
It has introduced new opportunities to achieve important changes in the habits, skills and understanding of Edinburgh’s migrant and refugee communities in relation to climate change, home energy efficiency, and the renewal and recycling of household items.
The Welcoming a Greener Future Project’s final event (Re-Style) will take place on Saturday 26th March 2016, 7pm – 12am at Tollcross Community Centre, 117 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9QG.
Adil Ibrahim, Community Development Practitioner with the Welcoming, said:
‘The Welcoming a Greener Future Project offered home visits to support people to use home energy more efficiently. We also organised climate change related workshops, upcycling programmes and community based events to communicate, educate and raise awareness for individuals and community groups about climate change. We have also offered a wide range of volunteering opportunities.’
Jon Busby, Director of the Welcoming Association, said: ‘Welcoming a Greener Future Project’ has strived to inspire environmental behaviour changes amongst diverse communities in Edinburgh.
‘A distinctive aspect of this project is the opportunity to work with Edinburgh’s migrant and refugee communities. The Welcoming has been in a prime position to engage them through its friendly, drop in and inclusive approach.’
‘Our community events and celebrations offer exciting opportunities to connect local people with newcomers who bring fresh perspectives and their own first-hand experiences of climate change. Migrants and refugees are also a dynamic, constantly changing group of people, who have the opportunity to continue to share ideas and influence change within their communities as they move within Scotland or return home.’
‘This work has been carried out in the ethos and spirit of The Welcoming, characterised by diversity, respect, openness and partnership. Over the years we have seen how working in this way creates a deep sense of connection and understanding amongst people that helps to ensure the lasting impact of our work together’.
Chiara Puppi, Programme Coordinator, said: ‘The community-based event on 26th March is the climax of this project. It aims to celebrate the achievements, experiences and great memories accomplished by the Welcoming a Greener Future Project in 2015-2016.
‘It is a free family-friendly event that will include delicious food, drinks and live music featuring The Badwills plus Rise Kagona and The Jit Jive Band.
‘The culmination of the night is going to be our unique fashion show, which is the result of an exciting 3-month textile upcycling project that represents the skills, diversity and multicultural background of our project users, as well as celebrating up-cycling as an eco-friendly concept.
‘We would be delighted if you could join us for this important evening of celebration.’
For more information about the Welcoming Association, see:
http://www.thewelcoming.org
Submitted by Adil Ibrahim
