local economies

  • How independent is your town? New tool shines a light on place relationships

    30 Apr. 2015
  • BULLETIN

    Party manifestos review 2015

    22nd April 2015
    546.4kB     .pdf
    The bulletin summarises the key sections and themes of all party manifestos relevant to local socio-economic growth, and indicate ...

  • Creating a good local economy: the role of anchor institutions

    22 Apr. 2015
  • RESEARCH

    Creating a good local economy: the role of anchor institutions

    22nd April 2015
    200.9kB     .pdf
    Anchor institutions are crucial to the functioning of our local economies. They bring wealth in the form of jobs and supply chains...

  • New Start and NEF to map the local economic alternative across the UK

    21 Apr. 2015

    • A manifesto for local economies

    In recent years there has been no shortage of reports about how bad austerity is and how it is affecting the poorest the most. However, while much of this is well meaning, it is short on what we need to do differently. In the new manifesto for local economies, the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (Cles) sets out ideas which breaks out of this austerity narrative and the present timidity of some proposed alternatives. For us, decent public services and fairness work with and for prosperity and against poverty and inequality. Cles draws on a range of experiences to reclaim a local economics which work for social justice.

    Read More
  • RESEARCH

    CLES Manifesto for local economies

    17th March 2015
    215.5kB     .pdf
    This CLES Manifesto is underpinned by our values and principles and is based on the experience of our work in local economies over...

  • CLES Manifesto for Local Economies charts a more socially just future

    17 Mar. 2015
  • RESEARCH

    Developing Resilient Town Centres

    12th February 2015
    296.8kB     .pdf
    What makes a resilient town centre? This paper, aimed at people working to support their high street, town or city centre, provide...
  • FINDINGS

    The role of the VCS in achieving the outcomes of LEPs

    17th December 2014
    190.2kB     .pdf
    This findings document outlines what we see as the key roles for the voluntary and community sector in LEPs; and how LEPs can maxi...

  • CLES report calls on government to clarify LEPs' role

    03 Sep. 2014
  • RESEARCH

    The future of LEPs: the small business perspective

    3rd September 2014
    942.5kB     .pdf
    This report, produced in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses, examines the progress made by LEPs and sets out a wa...

    • Building a local civil economy

    The word ‘economy’ can be traced back to the Greek word oikonomos, – ‘one who manages a household’. However, the idea that the economy is intimate and social is often lost from modern day economic discussions. Indeed, all too often the social sphere, is seen as an assumed outcome of economic activity, rather than a planned for and locked-in necessity.

    This connectedness with the social sphere should be central to any local economic development. What is the point of local economic development if it does not deliver social outcomes or address poverty? In this we need to think about building a local civil economy – an economy which is decent, fair and works for people.

    Read More
  • CLES 10

    Approaches to Addressing Poverty

    11th April 2014
    192.6kB     .pdf
    In this CLES 10, we introduce ten ways in which places are addressing poverty through a place and relationship based approach. ...