How it works

Please note: The proposals below have been put forward by Voluntary Action Leeds, based on our experience of five years of Climate Action Leeds work, feedback from Leeds residents at open events, and reports from the independent evaluators of CAL phase 1.

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However, we want the CAL Network to serve communities, so if you're part of a community group which might want to be involved, please let us know your thoughts on the suggestions below!

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We recognise that pressures and priorities differ across different groups, but want to facilitate a Network which respects people's time, has potential for genuine impact, and works in a way that is "good enough" to enable real benefits for communities in Leeds.

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So, proposal as of October 13th, 2025 ...

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Voluntary Action Leeds (VAL) will organise events for all CAL Network members (and any interested parties) to help expand, empower, and embed community-led climate action.

 

VAL will amplify and support members' work through this website and CAL's social media channels. CAL Network members are welcome to send details of their events for promotion on the Events page, and/or to submit guest blogs/photo essays/other content as desired for inclusion in the News section. 

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VAL will share training and fundraising opportunities to Network members, who can also request advice from VAL and/or access its existing training offer.

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VAL will use its existing relationships with stakeholders across the city and beyond (e.g. Leeds City Council, universities, third-sector organisations) to advocate for the CAL Network's priorities, and to make introductions/signpost Network members to help their groups build capacity and connectivity. 

 

Longer term, we hope the CAL Network can become a mechanism for bringing more funding into community climate action in Leeds. 

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VAL will organise at least two events annually for all Network members (and any prospective members). Agendas will be shaped in advance through submissions from members, so topics for discussion are linked to community priorities. If member groups wish to offer their venue for an all-Network event, they will be compensated accordingly. 

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VAL suggests that the Network's direction comes from a steering group of representatives from member groups. (Stipends will be available to help cover representatives' time.)

 

The initial goal is for 10 reps, who will meet quarterly to discuss the Network's impact and decide upon its immediate priorities. VAL's suggestion is that any decisions would be subject to a majority vote among steering group reps., who would be acting with the interests of their group's members/communities in mind. 

 

VAL suggests that at least 30% of representatives on the steering group are people of colour, and at least 25% are aged 25 or under. These initial figures are based on demographic data from the most recent census, but ultimately the goal is to make the Network as representative as possible of the diversity in Leeds' communities.

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