Unlocking Social and Economic Innovation Together, in Birmingham

Introduction to USE-IT!

The current political and financial climate of austerity and neglect raises some important questions for those of us who want to revive communities. How do we deliver real co-production? How can we unlock anchor institutions to realise their local economic and social potential? How do we encourage local entrepreneurship? How do we engage communities in their own future?

The USE-IT! project began with the aim of pioneering innovative approaches to inclusive urban development in West Birmingham and Smethwick to combat poverty in areas of persistent deprivation. After three years, we have delivered a successful inclusive growth project. In fact, we believe we have done more than this – we have a unique model for a new way of thinking and working.

  • Playing Field Study

    • A regeneration model that works

    We have focussed on building resilience in communities and linking people with their local assets. At the heart of this approach has been the principle that the physical, financial and human assets of a place can be leveraged for local economic benefit and it is in identifying and developing bridging relationships amongst such assets and anchor institutions that USE-IT! has delivered lasting change.

    The project is documented here according to our four distinct strands: Community Research; Skills Matching; Social Enterprise; Community Assets. We offer practical advice from our project experience in our Learn section. Our Library of documents and other project outputs will also prove useful. 

    The project was funded by Urban Innovative Actions (UIA), an initiative of the European Union.

    The Framework

    Connecting macro-assets with micro assets.

    Community Research

    Skills Matching

    Community Assets

    The local context

    The Birmingham area we have worked in, covering Ladywood and Greater Icknield, has been the subject of millions of pounds of regeneration funding through policies and initiatives. It could however be argued that the historical approach of physical, neighbourhood and social regeneration has not worked - recognising the failures of some programmes to deliver lasting change for communities across the UK, recent years have seen a shift by many towards a community wealth-building approach to developing thriving and equitable local economies.

    At the heart of this approach has been the principle that the physical, financial and human assets of a place can be leveraged for local economic benefit and it is in identifying and developing bridging relationships amongst such assets and anchor institutions that USE-IT! has provided support. Whether this means exploring the impact of new hospital and residential builds, developing networks for employment or new businesses, or identifying untapped physical spaces such as parks and green spaces for community activities, it is clear how the local context of Ladywood has helped us to innovate in our approach to helping communities and organisations alike.