Community The Power to Change

Sustainable Communities in the Ramat Hanadiv Area Together with an affinity for a place, environmental identification must also be examined as an essential condition for activism and for the creation of community capital. In order to characterize and map identities that either encourage or inhibit the spread of the environmental dialogue in the space, the environmental behavior (or avoidance thereof) must be understood, by examining its role in the cultural tool box of the communities living there. The Partnership for Regional Sustainability is an interesting test case of forming a relationship between local forces, the local authorities, and civilian social organizations so as to lead processes for changing the social– environmental agenda in the area. ‘The Partnership’ was based on the values of sustainability and the need to raise awareness of the residents of the communities and authorities in the region regarding the importance of implementing these values. Simultaneously, sustainable practices were adopted and collaboration between the various parties was established. Where there was motivation, but a lack of information and resources, ‘The Partnership’ helped the local leadership create a framework for activity and provided measures for its advancement. In this way, it created a platform for the realization of private initiative and enabled the local authority to understand the wishes of the residents and assist them effectively. The common goal of all the parties was increased awareness regarding the field of sustainability and the promotion of active participation among the residents. A community that is active, collaborative and takes initiative has great significance for shaping a sustainable lifestyle both on the local and regional levels, primarily due to its ability to encourage the local authorities to adopt joint processes to create a sustainable society.

Want to collaborate with the residents? Let them be partners! B Z

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