HICCCN training programme

In response to conversations within the Highlands and Islands Climate Change Community Network about capacity building in community-led research, these free, online training sessions were developed to cover the topics the network deemed most necessary and useful.

There are a couple of spaces available for each of the training sessions for people outside of the HICCCN network, and the topics will resonate with people involved in community-led research outside of climate change as well.

Find out more about each session through the links below!

Training schedule

Upcoming training

Policy, Impact & Community Engagement - Wednesday 3rd April, 10 - 12pm 

In this practical workshop, we will hear stories about how community engagement and policy engagement can drive social change. We will also learn more about our own strengths and the different paths we can take to make a difference. Dave and Catherine-Rose from the Scottish Policy and Research Exchange will deliver the workshop and share some stories from their experience. They will also facilitate individual and small group working so that we can all learn from each other. The slides and a resource document will be shared after the workshop.

Training Providers: Dave Blackbell & Catherine-Rose Stocks-Rankin (Scottish Policy Research Exchange) 

Measuring Environmental Impact - Tuesday 9th April, 10 - 12pm 

This session will explore different aspects of measuring environmental impact from a community and systems perspective, including community led carbon audits, documenting processes and ‘community decarbonisation’ techniques, with examples from the Carbon Neutral Islands project and the Island Centre for Net Zero. The session will also include an exploration of some of the wider structural aspects within the net zero landscape, as well as thinking about how to do this work in a complex landscape that feels like it’s constantly changing.

Training Providers: Becky Ford & Cameron Duff (Community Energy Scotland), Peter Lefort (Green Futures Network)

Burn Out Prevention & Recovery for Climate Activists - Wednesday 17th April, 10 - 12pm

This training session will specifically cover the issue of burnout within the contexts of the third sector and climate change action specifically. It will cover some theories of burnout, how our nervous systems work, how and why it happens, how we can notice it and what we can do about it. With a mix of peer to peer support opportunities, theory, testimonies from lived experience and practical exercises in how to build resilience, this training will illustrate how working in a sustainable way is part of building a sustainable world. 

Training Provider: Jo Musker-Sherwood (Rest of Activism)

Funding TBA

This session will offer a masterclass in funding, including an overview of different types of funding applications, from third sector to research as well as climate specific funding. It will cover all aspects of the funding process, including preparation, best practice, how to evidence need and impact, how to navigate funding opportunities as well as advice and perspectives from funders.

Past training

Navigating Challenging Conversations - Friday 28th February, 11-1pm 

In this training we explored approaches to building trust, and how we engage with people on sensitive topics, particularly around the climate and ecological crisis, navigating different beliefs, needs and priorities.

This included building awareness of the range of responses, recognising when people feel discomfort or when defences are activated - including our own; identifying strategies for coping and resilience; and approaching others with compassion, especially those finding it difficult to engage. We considered strategies for de-escalation and look briefly at safeguarding in challenging situations. The workshop also included short mindfulness practice exercises.

Training Providers: Kate Adams and Nadine Andrews (Climate Psychology Alliance)

Volunteer Management & Community Leadership Skills - Monday 18th March, 10.30 - 12pm 

This training looked at how we can effectively facilitate and lead on projects, with a focus on managing volunteers. How to meaningfully engage volunteers in a project without being extractive and placing undue burden on them? How to ensure that volunteers feel well enough supported and are getting something out of the opportunity, whilst also supporting the sustainable development of the community organisation/group itself? How to hold onto volunteers once you’ve recruited them? This training offered some practical tips and best practice, whilst also exploring a variety of sustainable leadership techniques that can support both project leaders and volunteers. 

Training Providers: Luthien Lark (HTSI), Lauren Pyott (Science Ceilidh)