Neighbourhood Action Network

The Neighbourhood Action Network is a programme designed to encourage and accelerate innovation in neighbourhood working, using action learning, action research and experimentation. The Network has a consortium of 17 partners from local authorities and national organisations with an interest in the empowerment agenda.  The Neighbourhood Action Network is in its second year of a two-year programme.

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, Suffolk County Council, Surrey County Council and London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

The programme of work has four main elements:

• Practical Projects - learning from practical work on the ground is an essential part of our approach. The project workstreams include devolving funds to localities, neighbourliness and belonging, and organisational culture.
• Research and Policy Development - findings from practical projects feed into broader research and policy development activities, including work for Communities and Local Government on developing guidance for new policy initiatives.
• Events - a programme of themed events to share insights and promote peer leaning
• Pilots Projects - In the first year of NAN we piloted the Neighbourhood Taskforce, a new model 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.

Please note that this page of the website is under renewal and will be fully updated by September 2008.

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