Project Dates: 30.03.25 to 30.03.26

A third year of core funding for this exemplary grassroots organisation, Earth Action North Devon (formerly Plastic Free North Devon), a local charity on a mission to protect and improve our environment through community action.

Through education, events, campaigns, and networks, they inspire reconnection with nature and drive sustainable behaviour change – accelerating environmental action across North Devon and fostering a healthier relationship between people and the natural world.

This year’s funding will enable EAND to continue to develop and evolve its impact via:

• Community Cleans: Hosting multiple community clean series, supporting and sharing other local clean ups, and running two mass clean ups – feeding data into national/international campaigns and databases.
• Fundraising: Recruitment of a new community fundraiser to maximise income potential from campaigns and events and further build EAND’s profile locally and and further afield.
• Community Engagement: Developing community outreach using the ‘Lets talk Climate’ model to help staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters have meaningful conversations about climate change in their community and private lives. Also continuation of Repair Cafe network and other popular sustainability groups and events.
• Education: Developing their education and outreach by pilotting an Adult Ocean Explorer programme and trialling ‘Parenting for the Future’ workshops to engage and inform the local community.
• Tourist Outreach: Continuing the Visitor Campaign to expand its reach and effectiveness.

 

Find out more about EAND’s latest campaigns and impressive impact here.

Image credits Earth Action North Devon.

IMPACT SUMMARY JULY 2025

Project Activities: 

• The DEF funding has been vital, allowing EAND to cover running costs, sustain the employment of seven part-time staff, and help maximise our growing volunteer base who have contributed 462.50 hours since April 1st.
• Key project activities delivery:
  Repair cafes,
  community clean-ups (281 volunteers participated in 6 events, clearing 327 kg of marine waste),
  educational activities,
  community outreach,
  and sustainability efforts at events.
• Brand evolution, from Plastic Free North Devon to Earth Action North Devon, which was met with unanimous positive feedback. A major highlight was projecting our new brand onto a main town building.
• ‘Let’s Talk Climate’ programme included an introductory workshop with over 40 people, followed by two six-week cohorts.
• Political Action: continued strengthening of relationship with our local MP, having multiple productive conversations and securing his commitment for our large-scale clean-up in September. In June, EAND’s impact reached Westminster as one of their lead volunteers participate in a pop-up repair cafe with the ‘Restart Project’, urging MPs to sign the Repair and Reuse Declaration.

 

Project Impact: 

• DEF Funding has had a positive impact on the organisations growth and development, allowing for staff retention, new recruits and increasing volunteer involvement.
• Further engaged local communities in environmentally friendly workshops, education activities and events, increasing local involvement and understanding of, environmental issues and action.
• DEF funding has enabled the development of new programmes: Coastal Rivers Project with the North Devon Word Surf Reserve in September, and Adult Ocean Explore programme, which recently secured further funding.
• DEF grantee connections, with EAND attending the 1st ‘ Pesticide Free Devon’ Conference and are looking forward to exploring and hopefully kick starting related campaigns