07 December 2022

Working together to catalyse innovation in rural areas

Joint role across two organisations

Time flies and it’s now three months since I joined the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) in a joint role as Head of Projects with the Rural Design Centre (RDC). This initial period has proved to be productive and successful, and there are more opportunities for collaboration and partnership working on the horizon.

Both RDC and NICRE were established to enhance innovation and economic development activities in rural areas. RDC has a regional footprint focused on the North East. As the name suggests, NICRE works on a national basis but with a strong grounding in its home regions of the North East, South West and West Midlands.

The two organisations are working collaboratively under the banner of ‘Rural Catalyst’ to tackle the challenges facing rural areas through research, innovation, design and community engagement.

This brings together communities with businesses, researchers and public authorities to foster rural enterprise and unlock the potential of rural economies through research and knowledge sharing, practical application of solutions – innovation projects – here in the North East and elsewhere, and providing evidence to national and regional policy and decision makers.  

For the last two years, the organisations have jointly hosted the ‘Rural Catalyst Conference’ in Northumberland to showcase the collaborative work taking place with organisations, and individuals involved pledged to work even closer together at October’s event.

Dinah Jackson Crop 2

Exciting projects on the horizon

Moving from an initial career in countryside management which developed into many years working in economic development policy and delivery, latterly managing the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s business growth and innovation programmes, I’m thrilled to be using my expertise in this new role.

My task is to bring RDC and NICRE together through projects that will boost rural enterprise in its widest sense.

There are lots of opportunities that I’m now working on to link national and regional/local perspectives, with some exciting initiatives that we will be able to talk about early in the new year. Networking and connecting is ever so important here, to imagine the art of the possible and create opportunities for the region that can have potentially national impact to rural communities, businesses and places.

Working across two organisations and in two offices helps to facilitate these conversations in a growing range of interests, many of which link to the various roles I’ve had and agendas that I’ve had responsibility for during my career.

Whilst we wait for further news about the expected UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the last three months have been busy and creative with a number of projects in the pipeline.

My experience in this new role has been overwhelmingly good, with lots of scope for projects that will help to tackle the current challenges rural communities and businesses face with the rising costs of living and doing business. The conversations within NICRE and RDC, and with collaborators and partners, confirm the positive commitment that exists within the region’s people and organisations to raising the profile of the rural enterprise agenda, and boosting sustainable rural enterprise, innovation and growth. Watch this space…

 

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