Wavehill: social and economic research

As another busy year draws to a close, we would like to wish you the very best over the festive period. Whether you're taking a well-deserved break, spending time with loved ones, or planning for the future, we hope this time brings you happiness and renewal. With 2025 just around the corner, we look forward to an exciting year ahead!

A great way to end the year! Our National Evaluation of the English ERDF Programme for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been published. Between 2014-2020 £3.2bn of ERDF funding, matched by domestic funds was invested in over 1,000 projects supporting local growth initiatives across England. The funding focused on priority areas including: 👉 Supporting research and innovation in SMEs 👉 Competitiveness 👉 Transition to a low-carbon economy. Many of the intervention types supported align with those being funded under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Our evaluation reviewed the delivery and the impact of this funding.  The lessons learned from the ERDF investments can be used to help enhance the delivery of projects funded by the UKSPF, and other programmes supporting local growth. 👉 To read the full report: https://lnkd.in/dPTgC9Y7 👉 To read the Unit Cost Analysis paper: https://lnkd.in/dJYWDn8m 👉 To read the Lessons for Local Growth Practitioner report: https://lnkd.in/dARw7-R3 👉 To see more on our work in this area: https://lnkd.in/eNMVV2NV 👉 Or contact Stuart Merali-Younger who leads this work.

We welcome the Peer Networks programme evaluation released by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).  This innovative national initiative, delivered through 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships LEPs across England, supported SMEs to enhance productivity and resilience from 2020–2022. Businesses participated in action learning sets and received personalised coaching, delivered virtually, using the "designed nationally, delivered locally" model.    Our evaluation of the programme revealed its success in addressing diverse business needs and helping SMEs recover from the challenges of Covid-19, in a very cost-effective programme. The findings provide valuable insights to guide future business support schemes, which could interest local and combined authorities.    ✅ Learn more about how the Peer Networks Programme made a difference: https://lnkd.in/ey6UAc8h ✅ Or contact Stuart Merali-Younger 

The proposed Sofia Offshore Wind Farm is poised to be the UK's largest renewable energy wind farm and is located off the North-East coast of England. Our latest report on the socio-economic impacts shows the contribution this project will have on the local communities and wider North-East region in terms of green jobs, skills development, and the community benefits to tackle poverty and social isolation. We are excited to see how this project will continue to develop. For more on our work: https://lnkd.in/eVvh6GYX Contact Stuart Merali-Younger and Marianne Kell

Last week we had the opportunity to share some of the incredible insights from Groundwork's New to Nature programme. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, it provided year-long paid and supported work placements to 98 young people from underrepresented groups into different parts of the environmental sector. Our evaluation showcased the breadth of impacts this initiative has had on the young people involved, the organisations, and the wider sector. We also heard from Ferozah Mahmood, a trainee who spent her year-long placement working with WWF. She generously shared her experience of her placement, helping to bring to life the impact of the programme. #WavehillResearch #ForceOfNature

Each year we have committed to sharing 1% of pre-tax profits to support local and national causes, and we are now in the third year! For us, the 1% Pledge embodies our core values, fostering a culture of social and environmental responsibility and delivering positive impacts to drive lasting change. As an employee-owned business, all staff play a vital role in shaping the direction of our efforts. Through a collective vote, we all have the opportunity to choose who we want to support. Over the past three years, we’ve had the privilege of supporting incredible initiatives, and we’re excited to continue this by supporting Rainbow Trust Children's Charity and Cancer Research UK (CRUK). Find out more about our pledge: https://lnkd.in/exBDds6E

Last week, our team came together in Manchester for our annual winter Away Day. A fantastic opportunity to connect, collaborate, and celebrate 🎉  We all left feeling energised and excited for the year ahead! 👉 To find out more: news https://lnkd.in/eHgSTwkx 👉 Or to explore more around our company values and culture: https://lnkd.in/eawPQnrH

Şimal Altunsoy recently joined the monthly Saturday Green Team an urban cleaning drive by Gateshead Council Riverside Park, by the River Tyne in Newcastle. The regular meet focuses on community engagement to help regenerate the area, support nature, biodiversity, and preserve local heritage. Part of the Tyne Derwent Way regeneration project, funded by the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Şimal was joined by local volunteers and a BBC reporter to help pick up litter. To find out how you can get involved: https://lnkd.in/eYypqvqn To see Şimal's debut on the BBC: https://lnkd.in/eW2fCMkZ

Congratulations to Marianne Kell, Ioan Teifi and Megan Clark on their recent promotions. We are absolutely delighted 🎉 This is thoroughly deserved in recognition of all their hard work and talent. 🎉 Well done to you all! 🎉

We are absolutely delighted to confirm that Declan Turner, Michael Pang and Anna Burgess have all been promoted to Associate Directors. They each bring a wealth of experience, talent, and insight to our clients and across Wavehill: social and economic research. 🎉 Well done to you all! 🎉