Research

Informing our policy position

Evidence gathered from members and from other research informs our policy position. We involve our members and their communities in the research we carry out and commission.

We want researchers to engage with those who are the subject of the research and work collaboratively, so we favour an action research approach.

Action research is a key part of the community development dynamic and can lead to an exchange of skills, knowledge and experience. It also relates the policy environment to the immediate concerns of community life.

Read the results of our member survey to find out more about our members and the role they play in their communities.

Inspiring Democracy is a project that explores how community organisations and local councillors can work together better. We've recently carried out a literature review of the current research in this area.