Rights : Community : Action

Rights Community Action (RCA) is a collaboration of experts dedicated to empowering local communities to drive policy and legal change.

Here is a summary of their mission, unique approach, and key activities:

Mission and Philosophy

Rights Community Action is driven by a shared commitment to tackle environmental issues and address the laws and policies that hold communities back. They unite a diverse team of professionals—including campaigners, lawyers, planners, facilitators, writers, and scientists—who are motivated to use their skills to make tangible change.

Their core philosophy is: "Every community has a story. Find your story, use your power."

RCA is grounded in the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, focusing on amplifying the voices of those who are most impacted by environmental and policy decisions. They emphasize that working at the national level to change law and policy is just as important as working directly with people in their communities.

They are explicitly "WITH people and FOR people & the environment."

Unique Approach and Core Activities

RCA’s model is distinct because it links grassroots community engagement with high-level legal and policy expertise, creating a complete pathway for change.

1. Harnessing Community Power

The organization believes that the stories of local communities are the most powerful catalysts for change. They work to:

• Inspire Action: Develop projects that inspire local creativity and action, showcasing what communities genuinely want their future to look like.
• Amplify Voices: Arm communities with the knowledge they need and ensure their voices are heard—often using creative methods to maximize impact.

This includes work focused on specific locations and projects, such as:

• Places Projects: Dedicated community coordination in areas like Hull, Lowestoft, and Skegness, and through wider projects like Shorelines.
• "Our Community" and "Our Creativity" involving grassroots organizing and artistic expression as tools for advocacy.

2. Driving Legal and Policy Change

RCA uses its expertise in law and planning to challenge systemic barriers at the national level:

• Policy Expertise: They maintain a focus area called "Making Policy? Start Here," providing guidance and insights for policy-makers and stakeholders on community-first approaches.
• "Our Law": This section is dedicated to using legal strategy, advocacy, and expertise to shift the rules that govern community rights, planning, and environmental protection.
• Big Ideas: They explore conceptual frameworks like Seven Generations, The Office for Empathy, and Cynefin to inform new approaches to governance, planning, and long-term decision-making.

In essence, Rights Community Action acts as a bridge, translating the lived experience and desires of local people into effective legal and policy tools to create a more equitable and environmentally sound future for the UK.