Economic evidence base
This research, published in May, by GLA Economics provides an economic evidence base to support three recently revised Mayoral strategies - the London Plan, the Economic Development Strategy and the Transport Strategy. The Economic Evidence Base gives an excellent overview of the socio-economic issues facing the capital whilst evaluating the risks for London’s future growth.
Download: Economic Evidence Base
back to top
How to connect with donors: essential messages for charities - CAF 2010
A report from CAF aims to assist charities with their planning by feeding back what the general public and CAF individual customers think charities could do differently to weather the recession, dated survey findings from March to June 2009, it confirms that donors are concerned about charities in the current economic climate, and have a view on how charities could change the way that they operate. This is an opportunity for charities to hear donor suggestions on what they can do to keep their operations running whilst keeping donors happy.
back to top
How to ask for money - London Funders E-gateway for fund seekers
A useful checklist for those approaching funders for support.
back to top
Better Banking
The Better Banking Campaign works to address financial exclusion: the lack of fair access to financial services and credit to those who warrant it. Over 150 organisations have already signed up to the campaign run by a coalition including ACEVO, Urban Forum, Development Trusts Association, London Rebuilding Society, Fair Finance, the Centre for Responsible Credit and CCLA. This range of organisations reflects the far reaching implications of financial exclusion: it increases poverty levels amongst the lowest-income groups, which has a huge negative impact on those struggling with debt, poor housing, old age, ill-health, physical and mental disabilities and social exclusion as well as creating demand for the third sector and other support. The campaign is seeking full financial disclosure by financial institutions, a cap on unfair credit rates and obligations on banks to demonstrate socially responsible engagement with low income communities, third sector organisations and small businesses.
London Funders is one of the supporters of the campaign. To find out more or add your support, please visit http://betterbanking.org.uk/ or email Lucy Marples: lucy.marples@acevo.org.uk
back to top
Mission Related Investment Effect - 2008
This report highlights the potential for charitable foundations to invest at least part of their endowment in investments that coincide directly with the foundation’s mission.
Download the report
back to top
Capital Crisis - enabling investment in London - London Councils Jan 2010
London Councils has published a booklet that highlights the actions London boroughs need central government to take if the capital finance system is to operate more effectively at the local level. Mounting evidence shows that the capital finance system in London’s 33 local authorities is under increasing pressure, from both a decline in capital receipts and a virtual halt to all private sector regeneration and investment. London Councils is calling on the government to work with boroughs to support London’s economic recovery.
Read or download the booklet
Contact for more details: Hugh Grover, Director of Fair Funding, London Councils.
Telephone: 020 7934 9942
back to top
Community reinvestment: Urban Forum’s proposals for people-centred financial services - May 2009
Urban Forum has been doing some work on the reform of the UK banking system. Frustrated by the lack of an obvious ‘return' on the huge public investment in the banks, and a lack of vision and ambition over what our post-recession society might look like, they have developed some proposals under the banner of ‘community reinvestment'. The aim is to establish a new approach to financial services that places social objectives alongside the pursuit of profit and creates people-centred financial services fit for the 21st century.
Read more on their website
back to top
Fixing the Future - The Young Foundation - Feb 2009
Innovating more effective responses to recession
Geoff Mulgan of the Young Foundation was an inspiring speaker at the event on 11 February 2009, The recession: we’re all in it together – not least because of his focus on a different future, built not from crisis but opportunity. Fixing the Future is a working paper which delves more deeply into these ideas and is intended as a framework for thinking and action by government and local authorities, voluntary organisations and businesses, linking the global dynamics of recession to action on the ground.
The paper is grounded in the realities of the recession but proposes recovery plans that emphasise future growth industries rather than bailing out failing ones. It includes a series of options for public agencies and foundations to consider both to mitigate the recession and to prepare for the recovery (eg direct job creation; youth and adult apprenticeships; creative uses of empty high street buildings; and local financial institutions that can rebuild habits of saving).
There is a strong argument for a much bigger future role for local government and voluntary organisations which in previous recessions proved more agile in finding ways to use wasted resources. There are suggestions too for the way in which at national and city level crisis response could be coordinated – including the use of new media and social networks for the development of ideas.
The paper argues for linking the two great challenges of our times that most demand ‘bold, persistent experimentation': the need for better solutions to the short-term problems of recession; and the need for better solutions to the long-term challenges of climate change and ageing, healthcare and expanding education.
back to top |