LSC Policy

Sustainable communities are a key priority in the LSC Strategy for Sustainable Development. It will become clear as you read through this guide that providers have significant scope to contribute to this agenda through strengthening their role in local communities and in working with businesses.

More specifically, the LSC Strategy for Sustainable Development identifies “Community” as one of its key areas through which a range of actions can be implemented to contribute towards the Strategy’s wider vision. Here, the Strategy sets out six key areas through which LSC providers can initiate and implement actions to create more sustainable communities:

• Community engagement: ensure good communications and involvement exists with the local community at all levels, including employers.

• Local and regional networks: maintain and develop appropriate local and regional partnerships between wider stakeholders and providers, local authorities, RDAs, higher education and other key stakeholders.

• Local markets and ethical trade: support local markets, ethical and fair trade, and socially responsible initiatives within the community.

• Share facilities: consider sharing facilities with local community agencies and groups to make the best use of resources.

• Local economic strategies: be aware of, support and connect to, the local economic strategies drawn up and developed by local authorities and RDAs.

• Volunteering: encourage learners and providers to undertake volunteering activity as part of community commitment to sustainable development.

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