An event is to take place in Hexham this month for people with an interest in developing rural communities in Northumberland.
The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) is hosting Community visioning in rural areas: Sharing best practice at the Beaumont Hotel on March 15. NICRE is based at the Newcastle University and combines academic research with practical application to find new ways of fostering rural enterprise and unlocking the potential of rural economies.
The event hopes to bring together those involved in community-based organisations, people working in community development and planning, and local and regional government to strengthen networks and partnerships, with the intention of sharing knowledge and best practice.
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The event aims to be an opportunity for all parties to share experiences and perspectives and learn from each others, as well as hear about current policy and research insights on tools and methods for engaging communities from Newcastle University academics.
Director of NICRE Jeremy Phillipson, Professor of Rural Development at one of its founding academic partners the Centre for Rural Economy at Newcastle University, said: "We know there are vast amounts of outstanding work taking place in communities across rural Northumberland and excellent examples of collaborative working.
"However, we want to help bring these people and organisations closer together to share knowledge and best practice to make these communities more resilient, sustainable places to live and work.
"While every community is unique, rural areas face many common challenges and it is only by learning from each other, and working in partnership, that we stand a much better chance of making a positive difference.
"We’d urge anyone with an interest in developing the community in which they live or work to come along and meet other like-minded individuals."
For more information or to get tickets for the event, click here.