Neighbourhood Action Network

The Young Foundation’s Neighbourhood Action Network is a new programme designed to encourage and accelerate innovation in neighbourhood working, using action learning, action research and experimentation. It builds on the Transforming Neighbourhoods programme which over the past two years has involved a consortium of partners from local and central government, the third sector and other public agencies, in practical work to encourage neighbourhood empowerment. The Neighbourhood Action Network will run for two years from April 2007 to March 2009.

Our aim is to maximise the chances for people in neighbourhoods and local communities to be involved in local decision-making and action that will improve their quality of life.

Our partners in the Neighbourhood Action Network include London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, Birmingham City Council, London Borough of Camden, London Borough of Hackney, London Borough of Haringey, Housing Corporation, IDeA (Improvement and Development Agency), Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Local Government Association (LGA), London Borough of Lewisham, Newcastle City Council, Surrey County Council, London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Wakefield Metropolitan District Council.

The programme of work has four main elements:

• Practical Projects – learning from practical work on the ground is an essential part of our approach. These projects will include work on the impact of neighbourhood working, neighbourhood working in very diverse areas, embedding engagement, councillor roles and youth engagement.

• Research and Policy Development – findings from practical projects will feed into broader research and policy development activities, including work for Communities and Local Government on developing guidance for new policy initiatives.

• Action Learning Events – a programme of themed events to share insights and learning around issues of concern to our partners.

• Practical Pilots – our first initiative is to pilot the Neighbourhood Taskforce, a new model being developed by the Young Foundation for tackling entrenched problems in areas where community capacity is low and where public services have difficulty engaging residents and neighbourhood groups.

For further information about the Neighbourhood Action Network please contact Melissa Magallanes, melissa.magallanes(AT)youngfoundation.org