The Black & Green Ambassadors, a city-wide programme empowering new leaders to engage diverse communities with environmental and social justice, is hosting a special event on 30 November to celebrate its re-launch and start of a three-year programme.

The programme piloted as the Green & Black Ambassadors project in 2016, following Bristol’s year as European Green Capital. Through their work, the inaugural Ambassadors worked hard to challenge assumptions, inspire action and encourage dialogue and connections across diverse communities, organisations and institutions in Bristol. They amplified a range of environmental and social justice issues and championed inclusive initiatives, working towards ensuring the environmental movement is inclusive and representative of all communities.

Earlier in 2020, Ujima Radio and the Bristol Green Capital Partnership secured funding from the National Lottery Community Fund for a three-year scaling up of the programme, to support nine new Ambassadors and deliver an extensive programme to address environmental inequalities and enable bold and inclusive action towards a more sustainable Bristol. This next phase of the programme also created the opportunity to evolve the programme name, from the ‘Green & Black’ programme to the ‘Black & Green’ programme.

Following the appointment of a new cohort of Ambassadors, the programme will be relaunched – and the new brand identity revealed – on MONDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2020. The evening event will provide an opportunity to meet the Ambassadors, learn about the ambitious three-year programme and hear from a range of speakers sharing insights from a national and global perspective.

The Black & Green Ambassadors programme is made possible thanks to support from the National Lottery Community Fund and is co-delivered by Ujima Radio and Bristol Green Capital Partnership. Year One of the programme also welcomes a group of new sponsors and supporters – Bristol City Council, First Base, Society of Merchant Venturers, Bristol Energy Cooperative and Low Carbon Gordano and Bristol Friends of the Earth Supporters Group – in addition to a donation from Andrew Garrad towards the three-year programme. A new Just Giving campaign has also seen individuals support the programme, with its call to action to back new voices to create systemic change in Bristol’s green sector.

Sandra Gordon, Director at Ujima Radio, said: “Ujima are delighted to be working in partnership with Bristol Green Capital Partnership and all our supporters and sponsors to deliver this next pivotal phase of the Black and Green Ambassadors programme, which will be revealed at our launch event. The accountability of climate and social injustice is not just the responsibilities of global leaders, countries, or cities, we all have an individual responsibility to make that change towards creating a fairer, greener world to live in. I am excited by the potential scope of this program to deliver tangible, long lasting, meaningful change in Bristol, nationally and globally.”

Lizzi Testani, Chief Operating Officer at Bristol Green Capital Partnership, said: “This project has been met with overwhelming support and excitement from individuals and organisations, and we are excited to celebrate the next phase of the programme at a launch event with audiences in Bristol and beyond. We’d like to thank all supporters, donors and everyone else getting behind the Black and Green Ambassador project – we’re looking forward to building on this support as the project relaunches.

The event will take place from 18.00 to 19.45 on Monday 30 NOVEMBER 2020.

Click on this link to register your attendance.