Monitoring & Evaluation for community building nature project

We are looking for a creative evaluator to analyse the impact of the Nature Neighbourhoods project.

Nature Neighbourhoods is a community-led project to tackle the nature and climate crises in 18 neighbourhoods around the UK. Each of these neighbourhoods will co-create plans for climate and nature action, bringing in local system actors (e.g. local authorities and businesses) and training at least 400 community members, to make it easier for communities to take action.

The two-year project will combine the local knowledge of 18 diverse community organisations with the expertise, support, influence and connections of three of the largest conservation groups in the UK - the National Trust, RSPB and WWF. It has been supported by a £750,000 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund (Climate Action Fund) and £300,000 from Co-op, who are also providing on-the-ground support through their store-based Member Pioneers.

There are four main project outcomes:

1.Building community capacity: working with Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations, building the capacity of diverse communities.

2.Neighbourhood action for nature: VCSE anchor organisations will support local communities to take more climate and nature positive actions.

3.Successful communities: Training will be provided to local 'system actors' who sit within organisations such as local authorities, landowners, businesses, and funders.

4.Organisational learning and generous leadership: Building the capability of project partners to support community action for climate and nature

The aim of the evaluation is three-fold:

• draw together lessons learned, best practice and insights from each one of the four main project outcomes mentioned above.

• capture the successes and challenges of working with hyperlocal VCSE organisations, as well as the wider Nature Neighbourhoods partnership organisations including Co-op and National Lottery Community Fund. Provide recommended improvements for future ways of working.

• provide key lessons for places creating Nature Neighbourhood local plans and outline key insights to influence local policymakers and funders.