The Young Foundation is pleased to announce a pioneering new programme with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to co-design an Inclusive Communities Approach for the region.
Set to run until March 2025, the initiative aims to accelerate a fairer future both regionally and nationally. This is not just about enhancing the voluntary and community sectors but is a broad strategic endeavour to foster social inclusion, mobility, and infrastructure across diverse communities.
The project will combine desk and peer research, community engagement, and insights from pilot projects to collaboratively create an approach that is relevant, effective and sustainable, supporting stakeholders across the region.
Dan Farag, The Young Foundation’s Director of Innovation and Practice, said:
“We hope this work will help enhance the relationship between WMCA, its partners and local communities through building greater knowledge, awareness, and collaboration on shared regional priorities to shape evidence-informed collaborative interventions. We’re excited about the Inclusive Communities Approach, which holds huge potential to transform the West Midlands into a region characterised by fairness, opportunity, and mutual respect; a place where everyone can feel they belong and have opportunities to succeed.”
Claire Dhami, Head of Systems Change and Inclusion and SRO for the Inclusive Communities portfolio and pillar at WMCA, said:
“WMCA has long prioritised inclusive growth as a key part of our vision, stating growth in our region must be ‘created and shared across the whole population and place’. We’re excited to bring this to life through the Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Funding and our partnership with The Young Foundation. Together, we recognise that social capital, infrastructure, inclusion, and mobility are not incidental outcomes of our regional activity, but rather priorities that require deliberate planning to advance. Our opportunity to influence and have an impact is huge.”
The project will culminate in a report and stakeholder community events next year. The partnership represents a significant step towards addressing social inequality and promoting inclusive growth in the West Midlands.
Inequality Innovation and Investment Local economies Social innovation Posted on: 11 September 2024