GROUNDWORK NE & CUMBRIA APPOINTS NEW PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT LEAD
Leading community and environmental charity, GROUNDWORK NE & CUMBRIA is delighted to announce the appointment of Laura Farrell-Pronesti to the newly created role of Partnership Development Lead.
This strategic appointment comes at a crucial time for the charity as it seeks to implement a new funding strategy involving new business partnerships and expanding sponsorship and donation opportunities.
Groundwork’s programs are primarily funded through local and central government grants, corporate partnerships, and third-party sponsorships. In the past, many of these initiatives, particularly in youth support, training, and environmental projects, were supported by European Union funding. With this funding no longer available, Groundwork, like other third-sector/charity organisations, has had to explore alternative funding methods.
The short-term nature of most funding streams complicates project delivery and staff retention. Additional funding challenges include inconsistent government support, shifting priorities, and rigid project timelines and demands. Together, these factors create a complex funding landscape, with cliff-edge funding contracts particularly affecting the delivery of environmental projects.
Laura’s appointment is a strategic move to address these issues and diversify income streams, helping to bridge the gap between grants and other funding sources.
In her new role, Laura will identify and secure new business partnerships, sponsorship, and funding opportunities to support the key areas of the charity’s work: Employment, Energy Efficiency, Green Teams and Land Management, Health and Wellbeing, Nature-Based Solutions, and Youth. This appointment demonstrates Groundwork NE & Cumbria’s commitment to building new partnerships with both public and private sector organisations to benefit the people and communities the charity supports.
Lisa Locke, Head of Business Development at Groundwork NE & Cumbria said: “We’re excited about the opportunities the new Partnership Development role will bring to Groundwork. It’s all about creating and building strong, long-lasting relationships with businesses and organisations that want to make a real difference in their communities and for the environment while enhancing their ESG values.
“Laura is an ideal appointment having worked for years as coordinator of our Waste and Recycling Visitor Education Centre at Campground Household Waste Recycling Centre, in Gateshead. During her time in that role, she worked in partnership with The South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership (STWMMP) and SUEZ Recycling and Recovery.
“She has a proven track record in community engagement and partnership development and brings a wealth of experience and passion to the role.
“Her dedication to community and environmental causes aligns perfectly with our goals. We are confident that Laura will create and drive new opportunities and funding initiatives to support our vital work.”
Commenting on her new role, Laura said: “I am delighted to continue my journey with Groundwork in this exciting new role. Being part of an organisation that makes such a huge difference to lives and communities across the North East is so important to me, and I look forward to this new chapter. I am excited and ready to develop new funding streams and engage with the region’s business community in meaningful and mutually beneficial ways.” Anyone interested in talking to Laura about partnership opportunities can contact her on Laura.Farrell-Pronesti@groundwork.org.uk