ARC is a secular body that helps the major religions of the world to develop their own environmental programmes, based on their own core teachings, beliefs and practices.

We help the religions link with key environmental organisations – creating powerful alliances between faith communities and conservation groups.

ARC was founded in 1995 by HRH Prince Philip. We now work with 11 major faiths through the key traditions within each faith.

ARC's Vision and Strategy

ARC's vision is of people, through their beliefs, treading more gently upon the earth.

ARC's strategy is twofold: to help faiths realise their potential to be proactive on environmental issues and to help secular groups recognise this and become active partners

1.0 ARC achieves its vision through:

1.1 BROKERING PARTNERSHIPS:

** using and expanding on ARC's unique knowledge-base and skills, which allows us to interpret the languages of these two worlds, respecting them both, and enabling them to hear each other

** creating a context in which both groups (ie faiths and secular bodies) can meet

1.2 STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION:

** developing the stories which illustrate and inspire this process – and communicating them primarily to, with and between the faiths

** framing the communications strategy as an instrument of advocacy, to help fulfil ARC’s vision.

1.3 DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS with potential for wider impact

** continuing to develop models – in the form of specific projects - which prove to both parties that this process works.

** creating relevant networks supporting and sustaining such models over the long term

** building exit strategies into the original plans and proposals, so that the projects can continue with a life and motivation of their own.

** deciding on a limited number of targets and issues, and concentrating on these, rather than being led always by funding.

1.4 EVENTS AND STRUCTURES

** holding, supporting and facilitating special events which advocate ARC’s vision

** creating and facilitate structures which further the vision

2.0 In order to achieve its vision, ARC’s mode of operation is:

To be brokers and/or advisors in the projects and partnerships described above.

3.0 The criteria for measuring the success of a project are:

3.1 Did the project meet its formal objectives from both faith and secular sides?

3.2 Is the project able to continue without ARC\s input? Or if not, then are the participants motivated to continue on their own, and with reduced financial and creative input from outside?

3.3 Has the project made a real difference to the lives of a community?

3.4 Can the project be reproduced? And over the longer term, has the project been reproduced?

3.5 Has the project – its success and its reasons – been communicated to, and understood by, a wider faith community?

3.6 Are we, personally and as a charity, proud of the results?

4.0 The criteria for accepting a new project, or expanding an existing project are:

4.1 STRATEGIC FIT

· It fits with our vision statement, our targets, and our strategic priorities.

4.2 IMPACT

· It addresses a real issue, in an effective way.

· It will make a difference to a community

· It has potential for magnification and/or replication

4.3 FEASIBILITY

· It is deliverable, and both ARC and its faith partners are ready and capable to do it

· ARC and the project are compatible with the NGO partner

· It has funding

· ARC and its trustees are happy with the source of that funding

4.4 RELATIONSHIPS

· It does not compromise our networks and trust

· It actively improves our networks

This Vision and Strategy paper was created in February 2006, as ARC moved into its eleventh year. It is a compilation of all the experience ARC has gained in its first ten years.