New report from Carnegie UK Trust

Last summer, the Carnegie UK Trust carried out a short research study to explore the landscape of rural development networks across the UK and Ireland.

The purpose of this research was to identify the range and diversity of networks in existence. The study also sought to explore the benefits that membership of these networks brought to their users.

Today (Friday 17 February), the Carnegie UK Trust is publishing the results of this study. Our key findings include:

• A large number of rural development networks exist across the UK and Ireland, each differ in terms of size, scope and staffing. Most networks identified in our research were local or national networks, and a few were cross national networks.
• Those who used networks described a range of positive benefits including increased confidence in tackling local issues, such as campaigning to save local services and engage in public consultations.
• Networks were concerned about funding in the current climate and some provided evidence that reductions in funding were already having an effect.
• Networks were increasingly utilising online communication strategies such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, as well as increasing the amount of information they provided on their own websites. However, most felt that face to face communication was still an important element of their work.
• Networks were keen to engage in joined-up working with other organisations. There was the view that partnership working could enable organisations to pool their resources and in turn, improve the services they currently offer.

If you wish to read the report please click the following the links for the Executive Summary or Full Report.

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