Repository: United Kingdom

Our journey to net zero: Understanding household and community participation in the UK’s transition to a greener future

Published: 2024

Our new report warns the government’s existing net zero transition policies are likely to make the poor poorer, and push struggling communities further into deprivation and exclusion.

This research – which was funded by the Nuffield Foundation and developed with the University of Leeds, University of York and Trinity College Dublin – f…

Community Ownership: A Way Forward for Wales

Published: 2024

This report evidences community needs and evaluates existing policies and legislation in Scotland and England, identifying strengths and weaknesses to provide lessons for future “community rights” in Wales. This research was commissioned and funded by Building Communities Trust (BCT) and undertaken by Plunkett Foundation.

Universities and ‘Economic Placemaking’: Assessing the current and potential economic impact of universities on their places

Published: 2024

Delving into universities’ economic impact on their local areas, this review highlights universities as drivers of local employment and spending, the importance of supporting social mobility and graduate retention, how to foster innovation, and reviews alternative economic paradigms.

This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the ec…

Society, Culture and Locally-Connected Universities: Exploring institutions’ social and cultural contributions to their local place

Published: 2024

Examining universities’ social and cultural contributions to their communities, this evidence review discusses universities as ‘place-makers’, bridging divides, the impacts of student volunteering, and how universities are supporting local arts and culture.

This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the economic and social impact…

Shaping Sustainable Universities: Examining the role of civic universities in contributing to a just transition to net zero

Published: 2024

Exploring how universities can contribute to a just transition to net zero carbon emissions, this review outlines key areas for university climate impact: reducing emissions, sharing knowledge for sustainability, and supporting local initiatives.

This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the economic and social impact of universities …

Healthy Universities, People and Places: Exploring institutions’ potential impact on student, staff and community wellbeing

Published: 2024

Covering frameworks for ‘healthy universities’, partnerships with health networks, mental health support, and community health promotion, this review explores how universities can contribute to the health and wellbeing of their students, staff, and local communities.

This is one of four evidence reviews which explore the economic and soci…

Community ownership: A better form of business 2024

Published: 2024

‘A Better Form of Business’ is a series of research reports on community-owned businesses that have been completed annually by the Plunkett Foundation since 2011. The reports offer evidence on the needs and health of the community business sector, trends in growth and services, and the important social, economic and environmental impact tha…

Communities doing it for themselves: Celebrating a decade of the Community Shares Unit

Published: 2023

It has been a decade since the Community Shares Unit launched in 2012 with over £210 million raised using this unique form of finance. This report aims to provide a detailed and inspiring update on the community shares market while celebrating key milestones, innovations and learnings over the last ten years.

How can events help build connected, happy and thriving communities?

Published: 2023

This inquiry was set up on the tenth anniversary of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in order to learn the lessons of past events and to identify how we can capitalise on the power of events to facilitate and encourage wider social and economic change.

Chaired by Sir Tom Hughes-Hallett, the Inquiry’s 25 members have taken evidenc…

Community Ownership: A better form of business 2023

Published: 2023

‘A Better Form of Business’ is a series of research reports on community-owned businesses that have been completed annually by the Plunkett Foundation since 2011. The reports offer evidence on the needs and health of the community business sector, trends in growth and services, and the important social, economic and environmental impact tha…

Community Businesses and Climate Action

Published: 2023

Over the past six years, Power to Change has become one of the largest funders of community climate action in England, with over £25m of funding and investment supporting climate action in more than 450 community businesses.

To ensure Power to Change’s work is underpinned by robust evidence, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) …

The Role of Community Energy in a Just Transition to Net Zero

Published: 2023

This policy report highlights the support needed from government, local authorities, electricity systems operators, and funders to unlock the potential of Community Energy Businesses (CEBs) in achieving a Net Zero future.