New report: Community agency, control and wellbeing
A comprehensive study of 27 community wellbeing projects has revealed key insights into the factors that contribute to enhanced community wellbeing. Led by New Local and What Works Centre for Wellbeing, the research emphasises the importance of community agency and control, highlighting three mechanisms of change: neighbourhood connections, decision-making influence, and community capabilities.
The study also identifies barriers that impede progress in certain communities, limiting their collective agency and control. These obstacles include neglecting early challenges or losses, power imbalances, and structural issues.
The report offers practical recommendations for various stakeholders to promote positive change:
For researchers - to refine definitions of community agency and control through conceptual research, involve local communities and practitioners, develop models linking agency and control to wellbeing improvements, explore maturity models, and capture long-term impacts using high-quality methodologies.
For practitioners - to prioritise understanding community agency and control levels before project development, include community-instigated projects in the evidence base, embrace disagreement, and recognise early losses as a normal part of the process. They should also value community agency as a long-term endeavor to avoid disruptions caused by starting and stopping programs.
For policymakers - to manage conflicting priorities and conflicts of interest to maintain ongoing community relationships. They should acknowledge the enduring commitment and long-term value of community agency.
In conclusion, this research not only identifies the factors driving improved community wellbeing but also provides actionable recommendations for researchers, practitioners, funders, and policymakers to foster positive change.
