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Community power

Demonstrating the potential of community-led, place-based change across society

A timeline of community development

1940-2020: 300 events that have shaped communities
blog
Organising and deciding Power and leadership
Powerful local communities are key to a sustainable future

Why facilitating powerful communities is such a crucial project
podcast
The words community power podcast on a green background with hands raised
Community spirit
The community power podcast: Series three

Exploring what happens when you give local people the money, power...
essay
May 2021
A history of community development

Linking the stories that connect community organisers across the world, from...
Organising and deciding Power and leadership
blog
Culture and creativity Equality, diversity and inclusion Organising and deciding
How can participatory art give rise to community empowerment?

Chrissie Tiller examines art, democracy and accessibility

blog
Community spirit Equality, diversity and inclusion Power and leadership
Sexuality, politics and freedom: What have we learnt?

Simon Fanshawe explores community development through the lens of LGBTQ+ rights
Creative Civic Change

Discover a new approach to funding using arts and creativity to...

Big ideas

Explore the research that is informing our perspective on community power

 

research
Community power: the evidence

Moving towards a community-led system of public services
Organising and deciding Power and leadership
research
Towards resilience: Redesigning our systems for a better future

Exploring the concept of resilience and why it needs to be...
Community spirit
research
The future is ours

What will shape the next decade for England’s communities?
Organising and deciding Power and leadership

All community power

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About Big Local

Through Big Local, 150 areas across England were enabled to create lasting change in their neighbourhoods over 10 to…
Research

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Our new website launches January 2026 with 15 years of Big Local insights. Sign up to our newsletter to stay updated.

Our new website launches January 2026 with 15 years of Big Local insights. Sign up to our newsletter to stay updated.

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