National Empowerment Partnership
NEP exists to improve and increase empowerment activities, co-ordinate dialogue between infrastructure agencies and grass roots organisations, develop robust evidence and engage national, regional and local government in the empowerment agenda as key to underpinning policy for public service delivery. The overall aim of NEP is to empower citizens and communities in England by: Demonstrating the difference community empowerment can make to individuals, community groups, communities and public agencies Developing effective methods of quality assurance for community empowerment Promoting examples of good practice across the country NEP is funded and supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
What is the National Empowerment Partnership?
The National Empowerment Partnership (NEP) is a partnership of organisations set up to improve the quality, co-ordination and evidence of community empowerment across England.
Empowerment is one of the underlying principles of community development and can be said to come in two forms a) People’s ability and capacity to engage in decision making processes b) People feeling that they have made a difference, through engaging and influencing, to the improved well-being of themselves and others.
NEP works with a range of agencies and with local, regional and national government to centrally gather and communicate information about community empowerment practice and its impact. It is supported by and works closely with Communities and Local Government, complementing and supporting its empowerment policies and programmes.
Who is involved in the Partnership?
NEP comprises of partners who form a national consortium, and regional consortia in each of the nine regions. Representatives from the regional consortia come together on a voluntary basis to share information and best practice. The National and Regional consortia also meet – and these meetings inform practice about national, regional and local empowerment activities.
National partners
- Urban Forum
- Involve
- Navca
- V - Youth Volunteering
- Communities and Local Government
- IDeA
- Community Alliance
- Take Part Network
- Nottingham Community Empowerment Network which represents all Community Empowerment Networks on the partnership
- Federation for Community Development Learning
- Community Development Exchange
- Academy for Sustainable Communities
- Community Sector Coalition
Regional
London Regional Partner website
Email the London contact (Hannah Peaker)
Email the South East contact (Nicky Stevenson on behalf of CDF)
South West Regional Partner website
Email the South West contact (John Skrine)
Email the East Midlands contact (Helen Whitney)
West Midlands Regional Partner website
Email the West Midlands contact (Sharon Palmer)
Yorkshire and Humber Regional Partner website
Email the Yorkshire and Humber contact (Mandy Wilson)
North East Regional Partner website
Email the North East contact (Liz Greer)
North West Regional Partner website
Email the North West contact (Eve Davidson)