One of the most successful elements of Carnegie’s rural work to date has been the fact that all our conclusions have been built upon authentic evidence from pioneering rural communities working on the ground to directly inform policy makers. Our partners have told us that the single most effective action for the Trust to take is the continued creation and structuring of opportunities for people to add value to their work by networking, communicating, mentoring, and learning from each other. The Community of Practice will assist this process but we also believe that face-to-face encounters are also important.
As a critically important part of the infrastructure of the next stage of Carnegie’s rural programme, trustees have identified the role of ‘host’ organisations/ communities to help us deliver these exciting gatherings but also to draw upon their really grounded rural development work.
As very significant contributors to the Rural Programme and with international recognition for their inventive approaches and with long term commitments to their local rural communities, we are delighted that the Eden Foundation, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Falkland Centre for Stewardship and Tipperary Institute have agreed to provide leadership and inspiration as inaugural hosts