3ni: The evidence base

The Community Needs Index

3ni advocates for community-led regeneration in the neighbourhoods that need it most, including those experiencing the double disadvantage of high levels of economic deprivation and low levels of critical social infrastructure.  In 2019, Local Trust worked with the Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion to develop an objective measure of social infrastructure in neighbourhoods across England. Watch the video to find out more.

Our report on local governments’ support strategies at the neighbourhood level

This study by Shared Intelligence (SI) examines which neighbourhood approaches local authorities in England are using to support their most disadvantaged areas, based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).  

The findings show that, while most local authorities analysed adopt some form of neighbourhood working, the type, scale, and council involvement vary greatly. The increasing variation is related to the current financial landscape, with budget pressures in some cases forcing councils to dilute their approach, but also to adopt innovative strategies.  

While the report reveals great strength in placing local public services geographically close to residents in order to combat inequalities, it also calls for local authorities to adopt strategies that directly address their most disadvantaged communities.  

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Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research Report on the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal

This report from Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research marks the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Social Exclusion Units seminal report Bringing Britain Together: a National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal.

The report looks at evidence on the effectiveness of past regeneration programmes in England, and how they have improved outcomes for many residents living in low income neighbourhoods.

It supports the case for a new approach to neighbourhood renewal and explores what would be needed in order to meet today’s challenges.

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The APPG for ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods’ final report on the inquiry into levelling up

This is the final report of the APPG for ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods’ inquiry into levelling up. This
report uses the evidence provided to the APPG during the inquiry into levelling up to outline a
compelling case for remaking the levelling up agenda to put ‘left behind’ areas front and centre of a new mission of national renewal, the challenges of achieving this, and the current levelling up agenda’s ability to help ‘left behind’ communities.

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APPG for ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods report on the UKSPF

This report by the APPG for ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods reveals glaring regional disparities in UKSPF allocations, with short funding timeframes and turnarounds reducing spending efficiencies across the programme.

It calls for a reformed approach to ensure levelling up spending reflects local priorities in the most disadvantaged areas, including through greater investment in both community engagement and capacity-building.

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Cambridge University’s Centre for Housing and Planning research report on local economic change

This research, from Cambridge University’s Centre for Housing and Planning Research, seeks to identify what drives economic change in deprived areas, and to explore whether the characteristics at the heart of the Big Local programme are factors for success in other initiatives.

The findings support a place-based approach at the neighbourhood level, built on a community-led partnership model.

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