Unlocking Social and Economic Innovation Together

Overview: The USE-IT (Unlocking Social and Economic Innovation Together) Transfer Network is an initiative under the URBACT III Programme (2014-2020) that focuses on fostering inclusive economic development and sustainable urban regeneration. By connecting macro-assets (such as large institutions and infrastructure) with micro-assets (community skills and resources), the project aims to build community resilience and enhance local resource utilization.

Objectives:

1. Promote Inclusive Economic Development: Facilitate collaboration between large organizations and local communities to drive inclusive growth.
2. Enhance Urban Regeneration: Implement sustainable urban regeneration strategies by leveraging local assets and capabilities.
3. Build Community Resilience: Strengthen community networks and resources to improve adaptability and resilience.

Key Features:

• Asset Mapping: Identifying and connecting macro-assets with micro-assets to optimize resource utilization.
• Capacity Building: Providing training and support to community members and organizations to enhance their skills and capabilities.
• Collaborative Networks: Establishing partnerships between large institutions, social enterprises, and local communities to foster innovation.

Target Audience:

• Local Communities: Residents and community organizations seeking to engage in economic development and urban regeneration.
• Large Institutions: Universities, hospitals, and other large organizations interested in contributing to local development.
• Social Enterprises: Organizations aiming to address social issues through innovative business models.

Impact: The USE-IT project has achieved significant outcomes, including:

• Connecting 250 migrants with medical skills to job opportunities in a new hospital.
• Establishing five new consortia of social enterprises and a network of social entrepreneurs.
• Supporting 36 new and 39 established enterprises.
• Securing £240,000 in grants and new contracts for local organizations.
• Training 85 individuals in community research, leading to the implementation of 24 community-led projects.

Recognitions and Awards: While specific awards for the USE-IT Transfer Network are not documented, the project's innovative approach to inclusive economic development and urban regeneration has been recognized as a model for other cities participating in the URBACT programme.

Additional Resources: For more information, visit the USE-IT Transfer Network project page.