Community21, founded by university design academic Nick Gant and Action in Rural Sussex Deputy Chief Executive Teresa Gittins, has grown to facilitate a network of university researchers and community practitioners, urban and rural communities, NGOs and service providers.
They collaboratively design practical tools and engage with topics supporting the development of community sustainability energy and water schemes, emergency planning, neighbourhood planning, inter-generational and inclusive youth engagement, citizenship and resilience and engagement with urban biodiversity.
David Wolff, Director of the Community University Partnership Programme, said: “Community21 has helped many local communities and groups develop their thinking about want to do in the future. Nick Gant’s research, with input from community partners, has created innovative and interesting ways in which groups can articulate their voice. We are delighted with the acknowledgement of this good work.”
Tom Parkes joined the university’s Environment Team in 2014 as a recent graduate. He assisted in the installation of three solar PV projects, including two ground-breaking roof lease schemes with Brighton Energy Cooperative. These three projects combines resulted in the installation of nearly 1,500 solar panels, placing Brighton among the top universities nationwide for solar generation.