During the mentoring forum Kirsteen Thomson of Greenspace Scotland will share insights from innovative approaches in Scotland.

During the mentoring forum Kirsteen Thomson of Greenspace Scotland will share insights from innovative approaches in Scotland.

The Victorian Environment Friends Network, in conjunction with the Yarra Riverkeeper Association, is planning a full day Networking Forum for members of Friends Groups to be held on 17 March 2018, Building Partnership Capacity with Friends Groups: Stories from the Yarra Catchment.

The forum will provide an opportunity to learn about forging partnerships to deliver and secure resources that make a difference. Come along to network and build relationships.

Book your place online >>

Members of Friends and other environmental groups, government agencies, councils, and funding trusts will give tips and examples – primarily from the Yarra catchment – that can be applied elsewhere.

Each session will feature a panel of speakers, followed by Q and A: bring your questions!

Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change & Minister for Suburban Development will speak about the Victorian government’s environment programs and opportunities for Friends groups involvement.

International speaker Kirsteen Thomson of Greenspace Scotland will share insights from innovative approaches in Scotland. The Forum will focus on ways to strengthen connectivity – across the landscape and with our communities. Greenspace Scotland is social enterprise and an independent charitable company that works to improve the quality of life of people living and working in urban Scotland through the planning, development and sustainable management of greenspaces as a key part of the green infrastructure. Kirsteen will talk about Greenspace Scotland’s approaches to fund raising and building capacity and how this applies to Friends groups in Victoria.

The forum will feature:

  • Case studies from Friends Groups of successful partnering, including challenges of getting started, securing resources, and working effectively as partners.
  • State and municipal agencies discussing potential resourcing opportunities and how they might be developed/obtained.
  • A panel of Funding Organisations.
  • Opportunities to network with agencies and Friends group members.

The full program and details of keynote and panel speakers can be found here.

The Mentoring Forum is being supported by funding provided by the Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning. It will be held at the Lilydale Senior Citizens Centre in Lilydale and will run from 10am to 4.30pm. Morning and afternoon tea and lunch will be provided. For people who catch a train to Lilydale Station, the venue is a 10 minute walk.

More info

Please let us know now of your interest in attending by email to Roger Parker at Parker.roger@bigpond.com so that we can ensure adequate facilities and keep you informed of details. You can also book your place on Eventbrite.