New-look Ecojam
Ecojam Founder and Director, Matt Fortnam
16 April 2015
Ecojam, Bristol's fastest-growing online green and ethical community, is extending its reach by expanding to Bath, London and other areas of the UK. Throughout Bristol’s European Green Capital year, the Ecojam team will be encouraging communities and individuals to kick-start Ecojam in their local area via a UK-wide network of green online hubs.
Ecojam – and Bristol’s vision to become European Green Capital – emerged out of a series of ‘world cafés’ organised by the University of Bristol between 2007 and 2010, during which 300 participants developed ideas on how to make Bristol more sustainable. With seed funding from the University, Ecojam was developed to continue the discussions online and get more people involved. Before long, the site had become the most active green network in Bristol, with over 5,000 members, an active and rapidly growing community on social media, and an incredible 1,250 events and jobs added by members each year.
For over six years, Ecojam has successfully helped local people find jobs with ethical businesses and organisations, mobilised hundreds of volunteers, increased attendance at community events, created a sharing economy, and raised awareness of local projects.
Ecojam is now turning to the next chapter in its story with a brand new website and look, an area where people can donate free, unwanted household items, and a big idea to bring Ecojam to communities across the UK, starting with Bath and London. The team is now seeking passionate individuals or organisations to set up an Ecojamin their local area.
Matt Fortnam, Founder and Director, said: ‘We’re really excited about expanding Ecojam. For years, people from other parts of the UK have cried out for an Ecojam.Our new website can help connect people and promote green activities in communities up and down the UK. Given our shared history with Bristol’s Green Capital bid, it seems fitting that we start sharing the Ecojam love in 2015.
‘When Ecojam was developed at the University of Bristol six years ago, we never imagined how active it would be today – an incredible testament to Bristol leading the way with green creativity. For me, the secret to Ecojam’s success is that anyone can get involved – you may check Ecojam to find things to do with the kids but end up volunteering at a festival, finding a free piano, or even landing your dream job.’
For more information, please contact Antonia Cross, Bristol Project Manager, bristol@ecojam.og.
Further information
About Ecojam
Ecojam is a jamboree of all things local, green and ethical. The website is a community where anyone can tune into local news and events, discover local green businesses and initiatives, search for ethical jobs and volunteer opportunities, and find or donate free, unwanted household items.
Our aims are simple yet ambitious. We hope to get more people involved in their local green scene, and promote and connect green activities in cities and counties across the UK.
Ecojam began in Bristol in 2009, but is now growing into a national network of local green hubs. It is a window into the incredible and surprising work of thousands of people, organisations and businesses trying to live life a little differently. This community shares all the jobs, events, news and organisations found on the Ecojam website.
The new Ecojam website was designed by a Bristol-based local web design firm, Spiral Edge, which has a history of working in Bristol’s sustainability sector and making websites and applications that support efforts towards social change.
Twitter: @bristolecojam
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ecojambristol
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/ecojam
About Bristol Green Capital
The University of Bristol is proud to be part of a city-wide initiative to make Bristol a world leader in sustainability as part of its designation as European Green Capital 2015. Contributing to the collective efforts of 800+ organisations, the University is hosting a series of events, seminars and public debates that build on its long-standing ambition to generate knowledge that will shape a future we all want to live in. From research that tackles the challenges of environmental uncertainty, through to voluntary community projects that see students engaging with local residents, the University has pledged its commitment to the lasting legacy of #Bristol2015.
For further details, and to join the conversation, visit us @BristolUni and www.bristol.ac.uk/university/sustainability.
