Transition Towns (start your own resilient community)
Energy bills jump, storms feel sharper, and the weekly shop can look different overnight. On top of that, many of us feel oddly alone, even in busy streets. Transition Towns grew as a simple answer to these pressures: local people organising practical projects that make day-to-day life steadier.
A Transition Town isn’t a brand you sign up to. It’s a community-led way of building skills, local links, and a bit more security, one small project at a time.
The good news is you don’t need permission or a big budget. You need a few committed people, a clear first project, and a date in the diary. The rest tends to follow.
Transition towns are ‘resilient towns’, designed to be run independently, so if the oil ran out (or became too expensive), people could still their lives pretty much the same way as now. Oil (made from the skeletons of creatures under the sea) is due to run out in a few decades.
There is still plenty left, but extracting it causes harm to the planet and marine creatures, fossil fuels are mostly responsible for the climate crisis, and nearly all countries at war are oil-rich.
For sharing food, read up on food safety for people and pets.
Use no-dig gardening (and avoid netting) to protect wildlife. Read our posts on pet-safe gardens and wildlife-friendly gardens. Also read how to help stop birds flying into windows. And trees to avoid near horses (including yew, oak and sycamore).
The movement was co-founded by permaculture teacher Rob Hopkins after he heard how the then-Prime Minister said we were ‘weeks away from no food’ due to lorry strikes. This was because supermarkets store food (often imported by air = oil) in central distribution houses (with fridges powered by oil).
And then food is trundled down motorways in lorries (petrol=oil) to reach supermarket shelves. Even some ‘local foods’ go through all this journey, to return within a few miles of where it was grown. And most supermarkets sell factory-farmed meat (again powered by oil).
The idea of a Transition Town is simply empowerment and independence. The first one was launched in Totnes (Devon) quickly followed by others in Richmond-upon-Thames (Surrey) and Hebden Bridge (Yorkshire). Each one is self-sufficient and people simply swap ideas.
The idea is that the town can grow and sell its own food, support local shops (that don’t need oil to transport local food) and even schools have community solar panels to power the whole village (selling leftover energy back to the grid, to give local people free power). Other ideas from this now-worldwide movement include:
- Grow local free food for anyone (including trees for fruit/nuts)
- Locally-owned indie cinemas and shops
- Starting up local currencies
- Discount schemes for local indie shops
- Sharing schemes (tools, books etc)
Might it be that creating vibrant local economies with increased community ownership, meeting practical needs from as nearby as possible (and living well while consuming far less energy could actually better meet our needs? Rob Hopkins
Install a Community Solar Panel
One very popular idea for Transition Towns (considering they wish to be oil-independent) is to install a community solar panel. You’ve likely heard that if you put a solar panel on your house, it’s not really worth it as you won’t get money back for 20 years.
But if a village puts a solar panel on say a school or other large building, the money comes back very quick, and then excess money sold to the grid can be used to pay all the energy bills. In simple terms – you don’t pay any energy bills!
And considering the huge issues we have right now with people choosing between heating and eating, this is one of the best ways to kick-start your Transition Town, that will prove popular with all your community.
Solar power is the large energy resource that isn’t owned yet. Nobody taxes the sun yet. Bonnie Rait
Inspiring Transition Town Ideas
- In Totnes (Devon), people who enjoy a meal in the town give money to the cafe and this is given to the local rough sleeper shelter and emergency food bank, to help homeless residents.
- In Europe, cities build raised beds and grow fruits and vegetables, to provide locally-grown jam or chutney for residents.
- Many towns create their own local currencies, which work a bit like gift vouchers. In use in Lewes (Sussex) and Brixton (London), the bank notes are beautifully designed with security watermarks (the latter has a way to pay by text at markets in local currencies). You collect them and then get change back in sterling.
- Many towns and cities across the world install Repair Cafes, using knowledgeable skills to save people buying other new items. It’s pretty cool to get top engineers who volunteer and fix things – one recipient was amazed when someone quite famous fixed their electric shaver!
- Farmers’ markets are often set up, to promote local food (needs no oil to transport via lorries). In London, there are many Transition markets overflowing with breads and cupcakes galore!
- In Luxembourg, three friends started a community supported agriculture scheme (where farmers are paid in advance to grow food) and were offered a beautiful site overlooking the city, and were growing and delivering weekly boxes of vegetables within months.
Totnes, Devon (the world’s first Transition Town)
Totnes is a quirky inland town in South Devon, with its own castle. It’s the world’s first Transition Town (this means locals get together to create somewhere that is not affected by oil prices). Think community solar panels, local food and garden swaps, walkable communities etc.
You won’t find chain store coffee shops, it’s full of over 100 independent shops and even a ‘green supermarket’ (there is one large supermarket, so we won’t go there!)
A few years ago, Costa Coffee gained planning permission. But there was such local opposition (over 5000 petition signatures), that it decided not to bother, so has never set up shop here.
And England’s first zero waste shop (set up by a retired Manchester United footballer and his wife). He also co-founded local company Rerooted Organic, which delivers organic plant-based drinks in reusable glass bottles, delivered on electric milk floats!
Home to many independent shops and a vibrant arts scene, Totnes sits on the River Dart, one of the wildest rivers in England. It flows from Dartmoor (one of England’s smallest national parks) to the English channel. And unique for a river, features ancient oak woodlands and waterfalls!
Boston Inspiration (a climate-resilient city)
The beautiful city of Boston in the USA (indeed named after settlers in the same-named town in Lincolnshire) has suffered like most cities, from severe flooding.
But rather than just ‘go with the flow’ and listen to climate deniers (like President Trump and his merry men), mayor Michelle Wu has created the country’s first Climate Resilience Plan for a city, which is having huge positive effects. And could also be used here, to prevent floods in England.
Some of the ideas being used include:
- Raising the Waterfront to Stop Flooding. Boston lies at the edge of the Atlantic, so tidal flooding and storm surges keep city planners on their toes. Parts of East Boston and South Boston now have higher parks and raised roads. The city uses plants and green spaces to soak up the extra water.
- Strong Building Codes for New Homes. New buildings must use stronger materials, sit above flood lines, and handle strong winds. This move makes new homes and offices safer when storms hit. These codes also ask for better insulation, strong windows, and backup power for lifts and lights.
- Public parks, gardens, and plants play a big part in Boston’s fight against climate change. The city plants trees in neighbourhoods short on shade and updates playgrounds and sports fields with better drainage. These changes reduce heat, clean the air, and manage rainwater.
- More Clean & Green Public Transport. The city replaces diesel buses with electric ones and adds more bike lanes and walking paths. Extra trains during busy hours help more people leave their cars at home. The city’s “Bluebikes” scheme lets anyone borrow a bike for quick trips.
A Truly Progressive Green Mayor
A Harvard graduate, Mayor Wu has won a second term, despite her rival spending millions of dollars. She has passed laws to protect wetlands, brought in a plastic bag ban (all while delaying her studies to care for her sick mother).
In a strong defence to her right-wing critics, Michelle a is a practicing Catholic, whose action on climate change is a response to Pope Francis’ call that it is a sacred duty to protect God’s planet.
Other Things Michelle Has Done as Mayor
- Diverted City funds from fossil fuels to a Community Choice Energy Program
- Secured funding for thousands of new jobs to protect Boston’s coastline.
- Doubled the number of Boston’s street trees each year.
- Offered free bus transport on some routes
- Improved family leave (both mothers and fathers)
- Given free entry to many museums for children
- Renovated 20 public parks
- Filled over 18,000 potholes!
What a Transition Town is (and what it is not)
At its heart, a Transition Town is a local network that helps a place rely less on fossil fuels and long supply chains. It does this through everyday actions, not grand speeches. People share skills, set up local services, and make it easier to live well with less waste.
It’s also about community, in a plain sense. If your boiler breaks in a cold snap, it helps to know someone who can recommend a trusted engineer. If an older neighbour can’t get to the shops, it helps to have a lift-share chat. These are small links, yet they change how safe a place feels.
A Transition Town is not a political party, a council programme, or a protest group. It can include people with strong views, but it works best when it stays practical and welcoming. Think “what can we do this month?” rather than “who’s to blame?”.
You can picture it as a patchwork blanket. Each square is a modest project: warmer homes, shared tools, local growing, repair skills. One square won’t change everything. Stitched together, they keep a community warmer.
The basics: resilience, localisation, and looking after each other
- Resilience means coping when things wobble, and recovering without panic. It’s having more than one way to solve a problem.
- Localisation means doing a bit more close to home: food, services, skills, even small-scale energy. It doesn’t mean cutting yourself off. It means having local options when outside systems strain.
- Community care is the human layer. It’s noticing who might need a hand, and making it normal to ask.
A few easy-to-picture examples help:
- A repair café that saves money and keeps useful items out of the bin.
- A community garden that grows food, but also grows friendships.
- A lift-share group that reduces car costs and helps people stay connected.
Common myths that stop people starting (and the reality)
Some myths appear in almost every town:
- “It’s only for activists.” In practice, it’s for anyone who wants practical improvements.
- “It takes years to get going.” You can run a first event within two weeks.
- “You must be an expert.” You only need to be organised and willing to learn.
- “You need a council grant first.” Start with free venues and donated materials, then fund what works.
Find your first five people and agree on a shared purpose
Start by finding 5 to 8 people who care, even if they care for different reasons. Look in places where real life already happens: the school gate, allotments, faith groups, sports clubs, local Facebook groups, and libraries. Also try asking one person who always seems to know everyone. Every town has one.
Next, agree a simple purpose statement. One sentence is enough. Use a template like:
“We’re a local group helping [place] build community resilience by doing practical projects that reduce waste, cut energy use, and support neighbours.”
Then choose your boundary. Make it easy: your neighbourhood, village, estate, or a postcode area. Clear edges help people know if it’s “for them”.
Host a friendly first meetup that turns interest into action
Book a free or cheap venue, like a library room, community centre, café back room, or faith hall. Keep the first meetup to 60 to 75 minutes. That time limit helps people say yes.
A simple agenda works well:
- Welcome, what the group is for (2 minutes).
- Why you care (1 minute each).
- What feels hard locally (10 minutes).
- Pick one achievable starter project (15 minutes).
- Agree the next date and who does what (10 minutes).
Offer tea if you can, because it changes the tone. Also avoid jargon. Say “saving energy” rather than “decarbonisation”. Say “sharing tools” rather than “asset mapping”.
Think about access early. Choose step-free access where possible, offer a child-friendly option if you can, and be clear on basic safeguarding. If you’re working with children or vulnerable adults, get advice and keep boundaries sensible.
Choose one starter project with visible results
Your first project should be small, visible, and easy to repeat. It should also give newcomers a clear way to help.
Here are starter ideas that often work:
- Swap shop: lowers costs and makes re-use normal.
- Repair night: builds skills, saves money, reduces waste.
- Community fridge: shares surplus food, cuts food waste.
- Seed swap: supports local growing and brings in gardeners.
- Home insulation info session: helps people cut bills, even without major works.
- Tool library: stops everyone buying the same drill.
- Litter pick plus planter day: quick visual change, good for all ages.
Use a simple rule to decide: pick the project that is easiest, most needed, and most likely to bring new people. If you’re stuck, choose the one that can happen fastest.
Set up simple tools for communication, roles, and decisions
Keep admin simple so it doesn’t swallow the group. Choose one channel for quick updates (WhatsApp or Signal works) and one public home (a Facebook page, a simple website, or even a noticeboard in a shop window).
Agree a few light roles:
- a facilitator to keep meetings on time,
- someone to take brief notes,
- someone to handle outward messages,
- a treasurer only if money starts flowing.
For decisions, use what the group can live with. A simple majority vote works. Consent decisions also work well: if nobody has a reasoned objection, you try it and review later.
Write down actions, owners, and dates. That one habit keeps trust high.
Work with the council and local groups without losing your independence
You’ll get further by working alongside others. Approach your parish or town council, library staff, housing associations, and local charities. Ask for practical support first: a free room, a small printing budget, or introductions to other groups.
Be clear on boundaries. You’re community-led, not a council project. You can accept help without becoming anyone’s “campaign”. Staying open to different views keeps the group broad, and breadth helps projects last.
Make it last: funding, measuring impact, and avoiding burnout
The early rush can fade after a few months, so plan for steadiness. In practice, this means small wins, shared leadership, and a pace people can keep.
Rotate tasks so the same two people don’t carry everything. Also build in pauses. A quiet month now and then is better than a hard stop later.
Money and resources: start free, then fund what works
Most groups begin with almost no cash. That’s fine. Use borrowed spaces, donated materials, and shared kit while you test ideas.
When you do need money, keep it simple:
- a donations jar at events,
- small voluntary membership contributions,
- a local business sponsoring one event,
- a community grant for a specific project,
- shared equipment bought once, then used often.
Be transparent. Track income and spending in a basic spreadsheet, and share a short update every few months.
Track progress people can feel, not just numbers
Numbers help, but stories keep people going. Measure a few things that match your projects, then share them in plain language: people attending, items repaired, kilos of food saved, homes reached with energy advice, partnerships formed.
A useful format is “one photo, one quote, one result”. It’s quick, and it makes progress real.
If people can point to something and say “we did that”, your group is on the right track.
