Rural Wales Local Policy and Innovation Partnership (LPIP Phase 1)

Rural Wales is a diverse region that faces many challenges in pursuing inclusive, sustainable growth. Long-term disadvantages of a dispersed population, poor accessibility, limited infrastructure and a low wage economy have been intensified by the impacts of Brexit and Covid-19. Communities are confronted by the loss of services, youth out-migration, unaffordable housing and a drop in Welsh-speakers. Both new opportunities and new challenges arise from the climate crisis and commitments to a net zero transition. Investments such as the growth deals provide a framework for development, however its widely acknowledged that the evidence base for policy and practice in rural Wales is fragmented and dated, with notable gaps.

The proposed Rural Wales Local Policy and Innovation Partnership will bring together academics, local government, development agencies, community groups and other stakeholders to find effective solutions. It will combine, analyse and map data from different sources to create a shared evidence hub, supplemented by new research; it will test and evaluate innovative ideas; and it will enable communities to better understand local issues through community-led research that can create the knowledge required for effective local action. The partnership's activities will focus on the four priorities of 'Building a Regenerative Economy', 'Supporting the New Zero Transition', 'Empowering Communities for Cultural Recovery' and 'Enhancing Wellbeing in Place'.

Phase 1 of the project will concentrate on the further development of the full work programme through principles of co-design, working with stakeholders and communities to shape to priorities and methods. In particular, we will engage with communities in five pilot areas around Corwen, Newtown, Trawsfynydd, northern Ceredigion and north-west Pembrokeshire, to identify topics for initial community-led research studies in Phase 2, and to learn from previous community engagement, co-design and community research projects. Other aspects of Phase 1 will focus on reviewing existing data and on consolidating the partnership.

The Rural Wales Local Policy and Innovation Partnership is led by Aberystwyth University with researchers at Bangor, Cardiff and Gloucestershire universities, and stakeholders including Antur Cymru, Datblygiadau Egni Gwledig (DEG), Rural Health and Care Wales and Sgema. The LPIP is supported by collaborating partners including Ambition North Wales, Growing Mid Wales, Natural Resources Wales, One Voice Wales, Severn Wye Energy, and the Welsh Local Government Association. There will opportunities for wider researchers, stakeholders and community representatives to be involved with the LPIP as members of four Thematic Groups linked to the priority areas.