Useful links

Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)

An independent think-tank and network of subscribing organisations involved in regeneration activities and local governance.

Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR)

Research centre based at Sheffield Hallam University dealing with areas of social, urban, and housing policy.

Centre for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (CSME)

The Centre for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (CSME), Warwick Business School,  is one of the leading centres for the research, teaching and training of SMEs in the UK.

Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies (CURDS)

Multidisciplinary research centre based at the University of Newcastle, dealing with the economic and social development of cities and regions.

Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)

Charity campaigning for the abolition of poverty among children and young people in the UK and for the improvement of the lives of low-income families.

Coalfields Regeneration Trust

An independent grant-making body registered with the Charity Commissioners and dedicated to the regeneration of coalfield communities.

Community Action Network

Community Action Network is the UK's leading organisation for the development and promotion of social entrepreneurs.

Big Lottery Fund

The largest distributor of National Lottery funds.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

Department of Trade and Industry

Promotes enterprise, business growth, export and inward investment.

Development Trusts Association

The national representative body for development trusts.

Directory for Social Entrepreneurial Organisations

A databank for, by and about social entrepreneurs in England.

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Research funding and training agency addressing economic and social concerns.

European Foundation for Improvement of Living and Working Conditions

Set up to contribute to the planning and establishment of better living and working conditions, through research and advice.

f3

Provides specialist research and consultancy services to organisations and enterprises involved in local and sustainable food initiatives.

Groundswell UK

A national charity that supports a network of people and projects committed to inclusive approaches to tackling homelessness, poverty and exclusion.

Human City Institute

Think tank investigating social and economic exclusion.

InfoRurale

InfoRurale consolidates information on rural development from around the world.

Institute for Employment Studies

Embraces all aspects of employment policy and practice, undertaking research and consultancy for a wide range of UK and international organisations.

Institution of Economic Development

Organisation for economic development practitioners.

Local Investment Fund

Set up in 1995 by the government and the private sector, led by NatWest, with the aim of overcoming the funding gap often experienced by social enterprises.

Meridienpure

MeridienPure is a specialist regeneration and economic development consultancy.

National Federation of Enterprise Agencies

The National Federation of Enterprise Agencies is the membership body for Local Enterprise Agencies in England.

National Land Use Database

Information on the objectives and current status of the NLUD initiative with information on brownfield sites.

Small Business Service (SBS)

The Department of Trade and Industry's expert policy unit on small business issues throughout government.

Policy Research Institute

The Policy Research Institute is one of the UK's leading university-based centres for applied economic and social research.

Policy Studies Institute

Undertakes and publishes research studies relevant to social, economic and industrial policy.

RuralNet

Online network for rural communities.

School for Social Entrepreneurs

Releasing entrepreneurial talent, a UK-wide programme for social entrepreneurs a growing network of schools and fellows meeting the needs of social entrepreneurs in local settings.

Social Enterprise London

Providing enterprising solutions to social and environmental challenges and creating new ways of doing business.

Triodos Match

Launched in 1999, Triodos Match links social and environmental businesses which need capital with people who have capital - and often relevant skills and experience - to invest.

Upstarts Awards

The Upstarts Awards exist to promote the best of UK social enterprise and spread the idea of social entrepreneurs as a dynamic force for change.

Urban and Economic Development Group

The Urban and Economic Development Group is a not-for-profit urban regeneration consultancy.

Urban Land Institute

Nonprofit education and research institute with focus on the use of land in order to enhance the total environment. Information on urban planning, growth, and development.

Work Foundation

The Work Foundation exists to inspire and deliver improvements to performance through improving the quality of working life.

Social Enterprise Coalition

The UK trade body bringing together all types of social enterprise to promote the sector and share knowledge.

Nearbuyou

Nearbuyou is a national trading network for social enterprises and those that wish to trade with them. It provides a set of tools for truly effective social trading.

CDX

A UK-wide membership organisation for community development.  CDX works to ensure that community development is recognised and supported as a powerful way of tackling inequality and achieving social justice.