The recently published Rural Futures Report sheds light on the significant strides made in tackling rural poverty across Wales. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the seven-year Rural Futures Programme brought together 14 communities to address the unique challenges they face. Here are six key things we learned from the report:
1. Building skills and capacity
The Rural Futures Programme has successfully enhanced the skills and capacity of rural communities. By developing and implementing projects that address local needs, securing funding and implementing effective solutions. Several groups are now developing follow-on projects to continue this process, laying a strong foundation for continued progress in tackling rural poverty.
2. Addressing poverty at its roots
One of the standout achievements of the programme is communities collectively exploring the root cause of problems relating to rural poverty and co-produce their own solutions. In many communities simply having a place to meet and explore ideas will be the catalyst for follow-on work and embedding a deeper understanding of the issues and creating more sustainable and effective interventions.
3. Community-led responses are crucial
The importance of community-led responses in anti-poverty and rural development policies is essential. The report highlights initiatives like the creation of a new community interest company, Yr Ardd (The Garden) in Llandysul, Ceredigion in response to concerns about food security, and the renovation of disused space at a local school in Deiniolen, Gwynedd to integrate and upskill the community. These initiatives showcase how communities can become more cohesive and resilient by understanding local needs and building on existing relationships to deliver meaningful change.
4. Influencing policy for broader impact
Evidence from the Rural Futures Programme has been instrumental in shaping policy decisions. By providing insights and data through documents like the ‘Early Insights’ toolkit, the programme has supported policymakers in making informed decisions that benefit rural areas. This influence extends beyond immediate interventions, contributing to a more supportive environment for rural communities.
5. Developing effective partnerships
Local agencies and organisations are better equipped to support communities through knowledge-based cooperative working. Each project developed partnerships with local organisations and agencies and in many cases new relationships were developed to create new groups or enable new activities. Projects often created opportunities, resulting in the co-location of services in rural areas.
6. Real-life success stories
The report has a wealth of case studies that demonstrate the tangible benefits of the Rural Futures Programme. From the development of local services such as a new convenience store and gallery in Bro Machno, Conwy, to the neighbouring villages of Kilgetty and Begelly developing a range of social events, warm spaces and activities to address rural isolation. These stories highlight the real-world impact and serve as inspiration and models for other rural communities facing similar challenges.
The Rural Futures Report emphasises the power of community involvement in addressing rural poverty. By focusing on building capacity, addressing root causes, developing partnerships, and influencing policy, the programme has set a benchmark for future initiatives. The report provides inspiration for public services to replicate and build on these successes, with these six lessons providing a roadmap for empowering rural communities and tackling poverty at its core. Give it a read here.