OVCA Project Partners

Ouse Valley Climate Action (OVCA) is a partnership project, including:

About our partners

3VA

3VA is the Voluntary Action organisation supporting voluntary and community groups and social enterprises across Eastbourne, Lewes District and Wealden.

3VA’s role in the OVCA partnership is to provide advice and guidance to groups on a range of subjects including choosing an appropriate group structure, good governance, fundraising and engaging and involving volunteers.

For all enquiries, please contact us at info@3va.org.uk and indicate that your email is connected to the Ouse Valley Cares Action project.

South Downs National Park Trust

The South Downs Trust is the official charity for the National Park. Its key objective is to increase funding for projects that will conserve and enhance the South Downs for residents and visitors.

It is the lead partner for OVCA, Chairing the Project Board and has a particular focus on ensuring a legacy by securing additional funding through initiatives such as the Community Pitch.

South Downs National Park Authority

The South Downs National Park Authority is managing the project team and providing overarching delivery support and specialist advice with respect to climate change, biodiversity, land management, outreach, education, health & wellbeing and governance.

Lewes District Council

LDC provides leadership, with our partners, so that we can make a real difference to our local communities and to the planet.

Ouse Valley Climate Action is a key partner and through leadership at board level we will ensure projects and initiatives align with the overall strategic objectives, e.g.

Work with partners to deliver nature-based solutions to achieve connection between natural environments, improved biodiversity and climate resilience in our local landscape.
Prioritise efforts with partners to manage the risks posed by flooding and coastal erosion and explore a ‘rights of rivers’ approach with the Ouse Catchment Partnership.
Increase opportunities for public transport, more cycling and walking in the district.

We continue to provide support and outreach through the council’s communications channels to make the most of opportunities for community and partner engagement over OVCA and LDC’s shared objectives.

To find out more about some of our work in this area, visit Makingadifferenceinlewesdistrict.com and for examples of how we have helped promote partner initiatives, visit facebook.com/lewesdistrictcouncil

Sussex Community Development Association

Established in 1997, SCDA works across Sussex, running community based projects and services. SCDA’s core values reflect our commitment to be driven by need, person centred and inclusive.

Our ambition is to deliver consistently high quality projects and services with our fundamental aim to build stronger, healthier communities in partnership with other organisations, and the communities themselves.

The Ouse Valley Climate Action team at SCDA is formed of an Engagement Officer and Community Ranger, both of whom liaise closely with and support community groups and lead on active travel, Forest Schools, community training and nature recovery.

Their relationship with SCDA projects like Making it Happen and Families and Young People, allows the OVCA team to get closer to the local community, supporting people of all backgrounds and enabling greater engagement with the local environment and climate change mitigation activities.