A number of recent policy developments create new opportunities for the VCS to engage regionally and sub-regionally, for example the expansion of the remit of the regional development agencies the creation of local authority Leaders’ Boards at the regional level and the development of city-regional governance structures all present opportunities for renewed stakeholder engagement.  This research will focus particularly on strategic decisions taken in relation to economic development (taken in its widest sense to include regeneration, skills, employability, transport and housing). 

Key questions that the research will explore include:

• What is the rationale for VCS engagement with strategic decision-making at the regional and sub-regional levels in England?
• What is the perception of engagement at the regional and sub-regional level among VCS leaders and infrastructure organisations?
• What is the perception of VCS engagement to date among stakeholders in the public and private sectors?
• What step should be taken by the public sector and the VCS to further develop engagement at the regional and sub-regional levels?
• What lessons can be learned from the experience of local strategic partnerships?

This research has been made possible with the support of ACEVO North.

Files

Download the project proposal.

Katie Schmuecker presented the interim findings of this research project to a conference organised by the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations North (ACEVO North) on Thursday 26 February.  View the presentation.