Take Part Seminar

This seminar involved a presentation of emerging findings from the national evaluation of the Take Part programme. In order for more people to be able to participate in local decision-making, they need to have a better understanding of how local services are managed and local democracy operates. Some people also need support and encouragement to have the confidence to speak up and get involved, or to overcome barriers that they face. The Take Part programme works with partners in 18 pathfinder areas, two in each region, to show how learning and information can build skills, knowledge and confidence for active citizenship, as well as running community leadership programmes that offer tailored support into civic activisim and/or lay governance roles.

A presentation of emerging findings from the national evaluation of Take Part kick started the session, followed by a presentation on the impact of the programme by a local Pathfinder. Key learnings in terms of the empowerment agenda were set out by Professor Marjorie Mayo, Reader in Community Development at Goldsmiths College, University of London and ESRC Taking Part cluster lead, and policy lessons from Thomas Neumark, CDF Policy Officer and Anne-Marie Dean, Local Democratic Renewal Officer, CLG. The session concluded with a Q&A session. The session was chaired by Alison Seabrooke, CDF Chief Executive.