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Lessons in local growth

A person wearing a pink hat handing over cash to three people running a clothing stall.
‘Lessons in local growth’ highlights how strategic authorities can harness the power of the social economy to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The report takes learnings from partnerships with the West Midlands Combined Authority, North East Combined Authority, and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to set out ten practical lessons to growing regional social economies.

Category

Policy publications

Topic

Financing the future economy

5th June 2025

Jessica Craig

Jessica Craig

Policy Manager

Natalie White

Natalie White

Practice and Innovation Manager

About the report

The Prime Minister has made strategic authorities a key part of his plans for national economic growth, asking metro mayors to produce Local Growth Plans for their regions. Power to Change’s new report, ‘Lessons in local growth’, argues that alongside boosting high growth industries these growth plans provide a timely opportunity to create inclusive growth, by working with organisations in the social economy – like community businesses, co-operatives and social enterprises. 

The report presents ten practical lessons, drawing on learnings from our partnerships with regions who are already pioneering these approaches:

The findings serve as a blueprint for other regional authorities to drive inclusive growth that can be seen and felt in people’s everyday lives.

Download the report

Watch the webinar:

On 5 June 2025 our report authors discussed how strategic authorities can drive inclusive economic growth, along with:

  • Nicola Steuer, Deputy Chief Executive, Power to Change (Chair)
  • Afzal Hussain, Chief Officer, Witton Lodge Community Association
  • Jo Leek, Senior Investment Manager, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
  • Kate Duffy, Founder, Junction Point CIC
Watch the recording