Tim Davies-Pugh, Chief Executive at Power to Change, launches our series of blogs and essays in our 10th anniversary year. This series will reflect on how the world has evolved since 2015 and what it might look like in 2035.
Sustainable regeneration: Looking back and moving forward
Labour's new Plan for Neighbourhoods draws a line under the levelling up agenda. Instead, it looks back to New Labour's New Deal for Communities for inspiration. What can this teach us about longevity in regeneration programmes?
Why communities need the power to own environmental assets
Imagine if as well as pubs and village halls, communities could dream big and purchase beloved rivers, woods, and peat bogs. A tweak to Labour’s forthcoming Community Right to Buy could make this possible, but rumours are circulating that this change is at risk of being abandoned.
Developing innovative approaches to impact finance
Over the next two years, we’re working with five community asset developers to understand the role of accessible finance in unlocking positive impact for our communities.
Our recent Community Business Market Report 2024 shows that community business continue to face barriers in accessing sustainable forms of funding and finance. That’s why we’re working with government, funders and investors to foster appropriate and innovative finance for the future economy.
Community-powered high streets and life beyond retail
Our recent survey shows that community power is a top priority for community businesses. This year, we’re testing policies on the ground that put communities in charge.
We've joined forces with leaders locally and nationally to make a clear call to back community ownership and drive growth people can see and feel in their local area.
Celebration to setback: lessons in advocating for community ownership
The Community Ownership Fund has been a game-changer, helping communities to purchase the spaces they care about. But along with the latest allocation of funding came an announcement of the fund's closure, and an underspend that leaves many community businesses without the support they had been banking on. Our analysis explores why this happened and what we can learn from it.
Our new report, ‘Department stories’ captures how communities across England are reimagining former department stores to meet local needs and reinvigorate their high streets.
Two community business leaders reflect on the need for a communities strategy - one that backs community-led institutions and puts communities in charge.
Donald Trump’s recent victory shows how important it is to make people feel and see economic growth in their communities. In the UK, our high streets are a core part of getting this right.
Choice lay at the heart of this Budget. It was political in choosing who would bear the burden of tax rises and where increases in spending would be prioritised. The gamble is that these choices will bear fruit come election time.
£2.5bn of levelling up funding stuck in limbo, public demand significant change in approach
New analysis from think-do tank Power to Change identifies 20% of total levelling up funding that is stuck in limbo. This comes alongside fresh polling by More in Common showing public appetite for significant changes in how regeneration funding is delivered in the short and long term.
In his foreword to the Unfinished Revolution, Tony Blair said that a party leaving government should begin with an honest analysis of why they are in opposition. That question was front of mind as Power to Change took to Birmingham for Conservative Party conference.
Getting the value right for a Community Right to Buy
The Government's plans to implement a Community Right to Buy could be transformative for communities. But communities also need to be able to buy properties at the right price.
