The Trust has been a driving force in developing new models for enterprise in rural communities. We now want to look at how all communities and individuals can be supported to thrive, as traditional patterns of trade and employment become less relevant to more and more people.

Regulated markets can play a major role in delivering wellbeing, and rely on social and community understanding and engagement. In an increasingly globalised economy, we aim to identify innovative ways of reconnecting regulation to real life.

The Trust has a proven heritage in the development of skills and lifelong learning. Our work continues to be focused on skills development, equality of access to skills, and the relationship between education and the modern economy.

A central question is also how change in a globalised economy is impacting on individuals and individual decision making. We want to base our research and ideas on the practical economic experiences of people in the UK and Ireland.

To download a one-page Introductory Note on our Enterprise and Society theme click here.

In 2012, the Trust will be focusing its Enterprise & Society work on the economic experience, understanding and connectedness of citizens in the UK and Ireland.

This focus will run through each policy area, from ‘Enterprising Minds’ research on the aspirations of college students through to embedding ‘More Than GDP’ thinking amongst policymakers, the media and communities.

The Trust is also launching a new Enterprise policy project with this focus this year: ‘Global Rules, Local Rulers’. Click here for more information on this work.