THE Isles of Scilly Community Research Network has secured £1-million to research the topics that matter most to Iocal communities.

The money has been awarded through phase two of the Community Research Networks programme, which has been funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and will be delivered by The Young Foundation, a non-profit organisation that specialises in community research and social innovation. In phase one of the programme, the group received £25k.

It used the money to engage a diverse cross-section of Scilly’s community, seeking to better-understand their views on the need for locally-led research, and the topics and questions they see as most pressing.

Phase two will enable Scilly’s community to make these research and discovery ambitions a reality, and will be delivered by a partnership between the Isles of Scilly Community Venture CIC, the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Five Islands Academy and the University of Exeter.

George Goldberg, Director at Isles of Scilly Community Venture CIC, said: “This funding and support from UKRI and The Young Foundation is a fantastic chance to develop the skills and opportunities for Scilly’s community to take the lead in setting and delivering a research agenda that is firmly anchored in local needs and perspectives.

“We are excited to be part of the Community Research Networks programme and look forward to driving meaningful, lasting, locally informed change.

Helen Goulden OBE, CEO at The Young Foundation, said: “We know that local communities and citizens understand local needs best, and are fundamental to tackling complex societal issues. Which is why the Community Research Networks programme is so important.

“The insights gained from the Isles of Scilly Community Research Network and other local research networks will be vital if we are to work together to tackle some of the persistent and entrenched challenges we face.

The aim of the Community Research Networks programme is to put communities at the heart of research, awarding grants to organisations that are interested in supporting local people across the UK, and working with them to better understand their valuable role in research and innovation.

The programme has awarded a total of £8.9-m to community networks across the country in this second phase, with an additional £625k awarded in the first phase. Isles of Scilly Community Research Network is one of nine community research projects across the UK that has received funding as part of the second phase of this project.