Action for Sustainable Living

* * * Background to AfSL * * *

Based in Greater Manchester, Action for Sustainable Living (AfSL) is an award-winning charity that proactively engages, supports and empowers individuals and communities to live more sustainably. We do this by focusing on local, human scale change and supporting people to implement practical solutions to environmental and social problems in their local areas. . AfSL won the Guardian Charity of the Year (2008) and the judges were struck by how much Action for Sustainable Living has achieved with tiny resources by harnessing the might of volunteers. AfSL has run many successful Local Authority funded projects in the North West, and is currently running a BIG Lottery funded project in South Manchester.

* * * Need * * *

It's clear that we all need to be taking steps towards living in a more sustainable world. However, many people feel that they don't have access to enough knowledge about the issues society faces or the support they need to... more

* * * Background to AfSL * * *

Based in Greater Manchester, Action for Sustainable Living (AfSL) is an award-winning charity that proactively engages, supports and empowers individuals and communities to live more sustainably. We do this by focusing on local, human scale change and supporting people to implement practical solutions to environmental and social problems in their local areas. . AfSL won the Guardian Charity of the Year (2008) and the judges were struck by how much Action for Sustainable Living has achieved with tiny resources by harnessing the might of volunteers. AfSL has run many successful Local Authority funded projects in the North West, and is currently running a BIG Lottery funded project in South Manchester.

* * * Need * * *

It's clear that we all need to be taking steps towards living in a more sustainable world. However, many people feel that they don't have access to enough knowledge about the issues society faces or the support they need to take action in their own lives and local communities. Research has shown that people don't want to act in isolation: they want to be part of something bigger, and something that their neighbours, friends and family are also involved in. They want to see the effects of their actions locally, in the areas they live and work in.

At a time when the spokesman for the Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisations (GMCVO) has revealed that a quarter of Manchester's voluntary groups are under threat due to spending cuts, it is more important than ever to inspire people to innovate and sustain community activities.

* * * Solution * * *

AfSL connects people, shares resources and supports communities to live more sustainably by promoting a positive, human-scale and bottom-up approach to sustainable living.

AfSL currently delivers a range of projects with individuals, communities, schools and businesses, helping to raise the issue of sustainability throughout the North West, and helping all sorts of different people get involved and take action to improve their local (and global) environment. These local projects cover issues as diverse as local food and fair-trade campaigns to transport, neighbourhood clean-ups, sustainable energy and vegetable orchestras!

AfSL thrives on the hard-work, enthusiasm and commitment of our ever-growing number of fantastic volunteers, supported by our dedicated and knowledgeable staff team. Your donation would go towards helping us to encourage more local volunteers to get their sustainability projects off the ground and supporting them on their journey to becoming self-sustaining.

If you have any more questions we'd be happy to answer them.

Please email ben. Lear@afsl. Org. Uk or call 0161 237 3357.

Charity Website: http://www.afsl.org.uk

(I) TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC BY THE PRESERVATION, CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE PRUDENT USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES; THE RELIEF OF POVERTY AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE IN SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES; THE PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE MEANS OF ACHIEVING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND REGENERATION (II) TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN SUBJECTS RELATED TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE PROTECTION, ENHANCEMENT AND REHABILITATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO PROMOTE STUDY AND RESEARCH IN SUCH SUBJECTS PROVIDED THAT THE USEFUL RESULTS OF SUCH STUDY ARE DISSEMINATED TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MEANS "DEVELOPMENT THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE PRESENT WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE ABILITY OF FUTURE GENERATIONS TO MEET THEIR OWN NEEDS". (III) TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THR... more

(I) TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC BY THE PRESERVATION, CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE PRUDENT USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES; THE RELIEF OF POVERTY AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE IN SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES; THE PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE MEANS OF ACHIEVING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND REGENERATION (II) TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC IN SUBJECTS RELATED TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE PROTECTION, ENHANCEMENT AND REHABILITATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO PROMOTE STUDY AND RESEARCH IN SUCH SUBJECTS PROVIDED THAT THE USEFUL RESULTS OF SUCH STUDY ARE DISSEMINATED TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MEANS "DEVELOPMENT THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE PRESENT WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE ABILITY OF FUTURE GENERATIONS TO MEET THEIR OWN NEEDS". (III) TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EXPERIENCE- O