The Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) project is a significant initiative aimed at addressing regional inequalities and fostering sustainable growth through research, innovation and partnership.
Funded by UK Research and Innovation, the project brings together local authorities, businesses, communities and researchers to tackle local challenges and create lasting impacts.
There are four LPIPs around the UK, in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In Wales, Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales focuses on developing an inclusive and sustainable rural economy (see bit.ly/43CW7YS).
This involves providing local governments, businesses, and communities with the evidence needed to make informed decisions that promote prosperity and reduce inequality.
One of the key challenges addressed by the Welsh LPIP is the ‘rural premium’, whereby people on low incomes in rural areas pay more for essential services compared with wealthier households.
By exploring innovative solutions, the partnership aims to alleviate this burden and improve the quality of life for rural residents.
In England, the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership prioritises inclusive growth, sustainable living, and data analytics, particularly benefiting marginalised communities (see y-pern.org.uk/ypip).
It strives to bring together academia, policymakers and communities for informed decision-making through place-based initiatives exploring inclusive business practices, creative industries and climate action.
The LPIP Hub, led by the University of Birmingham, plays a crucial role in coordinating these efforts. It seeks to bridge the gap between local and national policy development by linking policymakers across geographical scales and policy domains.
The hub also works on building confidence, capability and capacity in place-based policymaking and public service delivery.
By fostering a collaborative environment, the hub ensures that innovative practices are scaled up and that the collective knowledge base is deepened.
- To find out more, please visit the LPIP Hub at lpiphub.bham.ac.uk