Local community network secures £1m to address ‘the issues that matter most’ to Isles of Scilly communities
The Isles of Scilly Community Research Network has secured £1m to research the topics that matter most to Iocal communities.
The money has been awarded through phase two (the implementation phase) of the Community Research Networks programme, which has been funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and will be delivered by The Young Foundation, a non-profit organisation that specialises in community research and social innovation.
In phase one of the programme (the expression of interest phase), the group received £25k. It used the money to engage a diverse cross-section of Scilly’s community, seeking to better-understand their views on the need for locally-led research, and the topics and questions they see as most pressing.
Phase two will enable Scilly’s community to make these research and discovery ambitions a reality, and will be delivered by a partnership between the Isles of Scilly Community Venture CIC, the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Five Islands Academy and the University of Exeter.
George Goldberg, Director at Isles of Scilly Community Venture CIC, said: This funding and support from UKRI and The Young Foundation is a fantastic chance to develop the skills and opportunities for Scilly’s community to take the lead in setting and delivering a research agenda that is firmly anchored in local needs and perspectives. We are excited to be part of the Community Research Networks programme and look forward to driving meaningful, lasting, locally informed change.
Helen Goulden OBE, CEO at The Young Foundation, said: “We know that local communities and citizens understand local needs best, and are fundamental to tackling complex societal issues. Which is why the Community Research Networks programme is so important. The insights gained from the Isles of Scilly Community Research Network and other local research networks will be vital if we are to work together to tackle some of the persistent and entrenched challenges we face. And at a national level, we hope to be actively contributing to a new and evolving infrastructure to support community research across the UK. This is core to The Young Foundation’s strategy, and as delivery partner we are proud to be working alongside UKRI to support this work over the next five years – and beyond.”
UKRI Chief Executive Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said: “I am delighted to see the launch the second phase of UKRI’s Community Research Networks programme, in partnership with The Young Foundation.
“At UKRI we strongly believe that R&I should be by everyone, for everyone, everywhere. This programme offers a step-change in the way UKRI funds R&I to reflect this priority. We are putting money into the hands of communities to tackle the issues that matter most to them.
“I am excited to see how these nine networks will enhance connectivity within and between the UK’s regions, contributing to an R&I system that benefits from diverse expertise and understanding.”
The aim of the Community Research Networks programme is to put communities at the heart of research, awarding grants to organisations that are interested in supporting local people across the UK, and working with them to better understand their valuable role in research and innovation. The programme has awarded a total of £8.9m* to community networks across the country in this second phase, with an additional £625k awarded in the first phase.
Isles of Scilly Community Research Network is one of nine community research projects across the UK that has received funding as part of the second phase of this project. Other grantees include a network addressing rural challenges in Durham, and a group researching economic inequality in Belfast communities.
Visit www.youngfoundation.org/community-research-networks to find out more.
