USE - IT

Project Led By:

Birmingham City Council

Type of Project:

Inclusive urban development in West Birmingham to combat poverty in areas of persistent deprivation.

Launch Date:

March 2017

Completed or Ongoing:

Completed

Project Summary:

The USE-IT! (Unlocking Social and Economic Innovation Together) project in Birmingham aimed to combat poverty and promote inclusive growth in West Birmingham and Smethwick. By leveraging local assets and fostering community engagement, the project sought to build resilience in communities and ensure that the benefits of urban regeneration were widely felt. Key initiatives included community workshops, skills matching events, and social enterprise showcases, all designed to empower local residents and connect them with economic opportunities.

Through innovative approaches to social and economic development, USE-IT! created a unique model for sustainable urban development. The project focused on unlocking the potential of poor communities by connecting them to necessary resources and fostering collaboration between community members, local businesses, and anchor institutions in West Birmingham. This holistic approach not only boosted the local economy but also fostered a sense of ownership and active participation in the regeneration process, making a lasting impact on the social and economic landscape of the area.

Learn all about USE-IT here

Audience:

Disadvantaged communities, local organizations and institutions, early-stage businesses

Project Collaboration:

USE-IT project in Birmingham was supported by a consortium led by Birmingham City Council.

Key partners included:

University of Birmingham
Birmingham City University
Karis Neighbour Scheme
Initiative for Social Entrepreneurs
Birmingham Voluntary Services Council
Localise West Midlands
Smethwick Church Action Network
Co-operative Futures
Canal and River Trust
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
Father Hudson’s Care
Health Exchange CIC
Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
Citizen Coaching CIC.

Project Goals:

The USE-IT! project in Birmingham aimed to achieve several key goals:

Combat Poverty: The primary goal was to combat poverty in areas of persistent deprivation in West Birmingham and Smethwick by pioneering innovative approaches to inclusive urban development.
Inclusive Growth: The project sought to promote inclusive growth by building resilience in communities and linking people with their local assets, ensuring that the benefits of regeneration were felt by all.
Economic and Social Innovation: USE-IT! aimed to unlock the potential of poor communities by connecting them to the resources they needed to remain resilient and escape poverty. This included developing new mechanisms for social and economic innovation.
Community Engagement: Another goal was to empower local people to get involved in the regeneration and development of their neighborhoods through community research and active participation.
Sustainable Urban Development: The project focused on creating sustainable urban development by leveraging physical, financial, and human assets for local economic benefit.

Benefits of the Project:

Economic Empowerment: The project helped create and develop new businesses in the area, providing employment opportunities for local residents1. This not only boosted the local economy but also raised aspirations and provided access to affordable education and training.
Community Engagement: USE-IT! empowered local people to get involved in the regeneration and development of their neighborhoods through community research2. This fostered a sense of ownership and active participation in local development.
Inclusive Growth: By focusing on building resilience in communities and linking people with local assets, the project promoted inclusive urban development3. This approach ensured that the benefits of regeneration were felt by all, especially in areas of persistent deprivation.
Social Innovation: The project developed new mechanisms to unlock the potential of poor communities, connecting them to the resources needed to remain resilient and escape poverty4. This included leveraging physical, financial, and human assets for local economic benefit.

Project Events/Research:

Several events were held around the USE-IT! project in Birmingham to engage the community and promote its goals:

Community Workshops: These workshops were designed to involve local residents in the regeneration process, providing them with a platform to share their ideas and feedback.
Skills Matching Events: These events aimed to connect local people with job opportunities and training programs, helping them to develop new skills and find employment.
Social Enterprise Showcases: These showcases highlighted the work of local social enterprises supported by the project, demonstrating their impact on the community and encouraging further investment.
Networking Events: Various networking events were organized to bring together community members, local businesses, and anchor institutions to foster collaboration and build stronger community ties.

These events played a crucial role in ensuring the success of the USE-IT! project by fostering community engagement and collaboration.