New research published this week reveals that when local people lead change in their own neighbourhoods, real transformation happens.
‘Everybody Needs Good Neighbourhoods 2’ is the first research of its kind to evidence how community-led regeneration can grow local economies, reduce child poverty, and cut crime.
Commissioned by 3ni and Local Trust, it focuses on Big Local, the UK’s largest neighbourhood-led regeneration programme, the research compares its impact to 29 similar areas without resident-led projects. Over 15 years, the results are clear – supporting communities to design and drive local change works.
This research arrives at an important moment, as the government rolls out its £1.5 billion ‘Plan for Neighbourhoods’. The findings provide timely evidence that community-led regeneration isn’t just good in theory, it’s making a difference to the things that matter most to people up and down the country.
It’s a way of working 3ni has been championing since our inception. When communities are trusted, they can transform the places they call home – building safer streets, stronger economies and better futures.
Stephen Aldridge, Director for Analysis and Data, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, said:
“The Spending Review contained important commitments to invest in 25 trailblazer neighbourhoods and a further 350 deprived communities over the longer term. The effective use of such spending depends critically on good research, evidence, and analysis of what works – and crucially, what doesn’t. This paper is an important contribution to our growing evidence base on neighbourhoods. I commend it to everyone involved in neighbourhoods’ policy and programmes”
The report is available now on Local Trust’s website.
