CASE STUDY 🖋️ | Shaping Luton's climate future through data and community voice Writing for The MJ, Senior Researcher Leonie Taylor shares her experience of working with Luton Borough Council to map a fair path to net zero in the region. Explore the insights: www.themj.co.uk/community-vo...

How data and community voice are shaping Luton's climate future

Over the past year the community ‘think and do' organisation I work at, The Young Foundation, has partnered with Luton BC to help ensure that the town's journey...

themj.co.uk

OPINION 💭 | What can the UK charity sector learn from international development? @parlysue.bsky.social shares learnings with @thirdsector.co.uk 👇 www.thirdsector.co.uk/sue-griffith...

Sue Griffiths: Three things the UK charity sector can learn from international development

Should we continue designing for a stable world we hope will return, or for the complex world we already live in?

thirdsector.co.uk

OP-ED 🖊️ | Can Andy Burnham's forthcoming ten-year strategy 'bring back hope'? @parlysue.bsky.social, Dan Farag and I share our ideas for lasting, people-powered change 👇

The Young Foundation@theyoungfdn.bsky.social · 2w ago

BLOG 🖋️ | In his first speech as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham defined this moment as “a circuit breaker for Britain”. Will his ten-year strategy deliver? https://www.youngfoundation.org/to-bring-back-hope-andy-burnham-must-ignite-nationwide-participation-in-societal-change/

Pushing the boundaries: Exploring ‘citizen science’ and #CommunityParticipation across research 4th in a series of short papers by the Institute for #Community Studies at @theyoungfdn.bsky.social to share learnings and reflections from the UKRI-funded #CitizenScience Collaboration Grants

Readiness for ‘citizen science’ | The Young Foundation

This is the fourth in a series of short discussion papers, sharing learnings from the UKRI-funded Citizen Science Collaboration Grants.

youngfoundation.org

NEWS I We are delighted to welcome six new trustees: Andrew Puddephatt, Claire Dhami, Joanna Choukeir, Nikos Adamidis, Peter O'Brien and Sarah Chaytor. Our Chair @kerstenengland.bsky.social looks forward to working together as we "continue driving radical change from the ground up”👏 bit.ly/4gUG4wE

The Young Foundation appoints six new trustees to help shape its future | The Young Foundation

Welcoming new expertise across policy, research, design, systems change, governance, education and social impact.

bit.ly

BLOG 🖋️ | In his first speech as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham defined this moment as “a circuit breaker for Britain”. Will his ten-year strategy deliver? https://www.youngfoundation.org/to-bring-back-hope-andy-burnham-must-ignite-nationwide-participation-in-societal-change/

To ‘bring back hope’, Andy Burnham must ignite nationwide participation in societal change | The Young Foundation

Dr Sue Griffiths, Daniel Farag and Jessica Moore share ideas for a better future.

youngfoundation.org

Do you want a say in what gets built in your neighbourhood? 🏡 Neighbourhood forums bring local people together to decide the homes, green spaces, and development their places need. More here: www.right-here.org/neighbourhoo... Animations by @theyoungfdn.bsky.social, resources by @locality.org.uk

OPINION 💭 | Why community-based organisations are key to delivering the Warm Homes Plan Samanthi Theminimulle and Leonie Taylor explore for BusinessGreen 👇 https://www.businessgreen.com/opinion/4532757/warm-homes-plan-community-organisations-key-delivery

Warm Homes Plan: Why community-based organisations are key to delivery

Samanthi Theminimulle and Leonie Taylor from The Young Foundation explore how the UK can meet its climate goals while ensuring the benefits of retrofitted, energy efficient homes are felt across the country

businessgreen.com

Who else thinks communities should shape their own healthcare decisions? New animation shows how citizens' assemblies could improve health & happiness in every neighbourhood. Watch our series on community-powered neighbourhood governance. www.right-here.org/neighbourhoo... @theyoungfdn.bsky.social

It’s #LondonDataWeek, and we’re working with @uclgrandchallenges.bsky.social to explore how values-driven organisations can use AI to strengthen their social purpose and positive impact. Our COO Sean Croghan and UCL's Katherine Welch share insights at bit.ly/4p9JAoV

With care and creativity, UK businesses can embrace AI for social good | The Young Foundation

During London Data Week (6-12 July), Sean Croghan and Katherine Welch consider how values-driven organisations can evolve with technology

bit.ly

Earlier this week, Local Net Zero Hubs staged five #EnergisingBritain events across England, connecting people in local communities and working together to shape the DESNZ public participation strategy. Read our CEO @parlysue.bsky.social's reflections >> bit.ly/3SQGavg

How to save the planet? ‘Be more punk’!  | The Young Foundation

Our CEO, Dr Sue Griffiths, celebrates the footballers, musicians, politicians and many other local change-makers shaping a cleaner, greener Britain at Energising Britain events

bit.ly

BLOG 💭 | Can a rug be research? Our innovation practitioner Nairat Ali explores what makes research valid 👇 https://bit.ly/4aDFoYy

What makes research valid? Lessons from community-led research | The Young Foundation

Nairat Ali explores how creative and community-led research can challenge traditional ideas of evidence and expertise.

bit.ly

Forgive the dry name, but the upcoming ‘neighbourhood governance arrangements’ could be transformational in giving us more power over the decisions that shape the places we call home. It's been brilliant to work on this series with @right-here.org @theyoungfdn.bsky.social. Watch below 🎬

We're Right Here@right-here.org · last mo.

Our new series shows what community-powered neighbourhood governance could look like in practice. The animations launch at a pivotal moment, as the government designs new neighbourhood governance arrangements. Watch more: www.right-here.org/neighbourhoo... Animations by @theyoungfdn.bsky.social

Want a say in how public money is spent in your neighbourhood? Participatory budgeting brings neighbours together to decide what to invest in as a community. Watch our series on community-powered neighbourhood governance. www.right-here.org/neighbourhoo... Created by @theyoungfdn.bsky.social

REPORT | Today we launch our new report with @ukri.org exploring what “readiness” for community participation in research looks like across the UK academic sector and among research funders. Explore the findings and recommendations for HEIs and funders here: bit.ly/4gblMi7

Readiness for ‘citizen science’ | The Young Foundation

This is the fourth in a series of short discussion papers, sharing learnings from the UKRI-funded Citizen Science Collaboration Grants.

bit.ly

Sustained investment in community-led research is vital to ensure the UK’s scientific base remains competitive globally and as one of our most important national assets to drive economic and social growth from @theyoungfdn.bsky.social

Who is UK research really for? Realising the value of community‑led experience | The Young Foundation

Community-led research is essential to ensuring innovation delivers real benefits for people, places and communities, not just economic growth

youngfoundation.org

Our new series shows what community-powered neighbourhood governance could look like in practice. The animations launch at a pivotal moment, as the government designs new neighbourhood governance arrangements. Watch more: www.right-here.org/neighbourhoo... Animations by @theyoungfdn.bsky.social

BLOG 💭 | Who is UK research really for? @kerstenengland.bsky.social and @parlysue.bsky.social reflect on why sustained investment in community-led research is vital to keep the UK’s scientific base competitive and drive economic and social growth. Read the blog: https://tinyurl.com/ycth5e7m

Who is UK research really for? Realising the value of community‑led experience | The Young Foundation

Community-led research is essential to ensuring innovation delivers real benefits for people, places and communities, not just economic growth

tinyurl.com

Our Head of Social Business, Charlotte Healy, is conducting research for her master's degree on the gap between social impact evidence and business action. She is looking for ESG, corporate responsibility, and social impact practitioners in UK businesses to complete a 15-minute anonymous survey.

"Protecting communities from the significant impacts of climate change is important. But we mustn’t pass up the rare opportunity to rewire our broken systems..." 👇 JUST's Samanthi Theminimulle reflects on the @thecccuk.bsky.social's landmark UK climate adaption report. bit.ly/4vk2qfo

The CCC shifts focus from ‘risk’ to ‘adaptation’, forgetting ‘fairness’

Protecting communities from the significant impacts of climate change is important. But we mustn’t pass up the rare opportunity to rewire our broken systems and create a more equal future.   As people...

bit.ly

Last chance to register to join us tomorrow 👇

The Young Foundation@theyoungfdn.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Webinar | Civic climate education Join our Senior Research Manager, Tania Carregha with Andrew Reeves, Dr Simeon Shtebunaev and Lee Jowett to explore how to deliver climate education to people of all ages across the UK. 17 June 2026 10:00am – 11:30am Register: bit.ly/3QAGHQP More: bit.ly/4mU66AV

At @wearenewlocal.bsky.social's #StrongerThings today, Steve Reed MP, recognised that "power today is in the hands of far too few", and that "the challenges we face are too big for the state to manage on its own. Where we see hope is where communities have been involved in shaping the answers".

OPINION 💭 | The @thecccuk.bsky.social's latest report shifts focus from 'risk' to ‘adaptation’ - but misses fairness and justice Our Senior Research Manager Samanthi Theminimulle, reflects on 'A Well-Adapted UK' in @environmentjournal.bsky.social 👇 environmentjournal.online/headlines/th...

The CCC shifts focus from ‘risk’ to ‘adaptation’, forgetting ‘fairness’

Protecting communities from the significant impacts of climate change is important. But we mustn’t pass up the rare opportunity to rewire our broken systems and create a more equal future.   As people...

environmentjournal.online

BLOG 🖋️ | Can the government’s Social Cohesion Action Plan mend our fraying social fabric? Plan envisions a more confident, cohesive and resilient future, but Isabella Pereira and @parlysue.bsky.social say it can only deliver if it prioritises addressing inequalities 👇 https://bit.ly/4uZkvPD

Can the government’s social cohesion plan mend our fraying social fabric? | The Young Foundation

Isabella Pereira and Dr Sue Griffiths say the government’s social cohesion action plan can only deliver if it addresses inequalities in UK communities

bit.ly

Last chance to register to join us tomorrow 👇

The Young Foundation@theyoungfdn.bsky.social · 3mo ago

WEBINAR 📣 | Student–community engagement: meaningful impact for people and places What does deep and lasting engagement look like in practice, and how can universities ensure it delivers real value for both students and the places they are part of? 📅 10 June 2026 https://bit.ly/3OUHrj9

Nice blog from @theyoungfdn.bsky.social's Jack Layton on the importance of social infrastructure. www.youngfoundation.org/social-infra...

‘Connections are made in the web of places that hold our neighbourhoods together’ | The Young Foundation

Reflecting on the publication of his new book, Dr Jack Layton champions the spaces and places that support connection.

youngfoundation.org

OPINION 💭 | Revolutions succeed or fail based on how many people get on board – and net-zero is no different Reflecting on the ambitious seventh Carbon Budget, our Director of Sustainability and Just Transition Emily Morrison writes for Edie. More 👇 https://bit.ly/4otxlDz

Revolutions succeed based on how many people get on board – net-zero is no different - edie

The seventh Carbon Budget is ambitious. But, says Emily Morrison, director of sustainability and Just Transition at The Young Foundation, cutting carbon emissions via technology and industry alone misses a crucial factor: public participation.

edie.net

BLOG 💭 | ‘Connections are made in the web of places that hold our neighbourhoods together’ Reflecting on the publication of his new book – Social Infrastructure in Neighbourhoods and Cities – Dr Jack Layton champions the spaces and places that support connection 👇 https://bit.ly/4xa6HmW

‘Connections are made in the web of places that hold our neighbourhoods together’ | The Young Foundation

Reflecting on the publication of his new book, Dr Jack Layton champions the spaces and places that support connection.

bit.ly

Today, the government has set out its proposed level for the seventh Carbon Budget which sets a science-led target of ~87% emissions reduction in the period 2038-42 – endorsed by the Environmental Audit Committee and @thecccuk.bsky.social.

OPINION 💭 | V Levels: why new qualifications won’t fix the system Our senior researcher Amelia Clayton writes for FE Week 👇 https://bit.ly/42L3SL5

V Levels won’t fix vocational education – T Levels didn’t

A new post-16 qualification won’t change a system that still undervalues technical routes

bit.ly