Acquiring Community Assets – the role of social capital in enterprise, energy and sustainable economic development

The RSA Research Network on Acquiring Community Assets – the role of social capital in enterprise, energy and sustainable economic development will investigate the issues which arise when 'communities' have been given the opportunity to manage and/or purchase resources for 'development' purposes. The resources can be anything from land and physical structures, such as a particular building, to institutional resources, such as organisations, joint / community ownership / community commons and community stewardship to safeguard or promote development. The 'development' may consist of socio-economic development, sustainable development or for the pursuit of sport and recreational usage.
By bringing together academics, policy makers and community practitioners from across Europe to incorporate different approaches and cultures, the network will address:

1. Exploring and evaluating community assets: ownership, management and governance
2. The role of community assets in enterprise, energy and sustainable economic development
3. The importance and generation of resources and social capital
4. The identification of best or good practices in varying European contexts

Press Release: New Research Network Launched!

Organisers:

• Geoff Whittam, Business School University of the West of Scotland
• Max Munday, Cardiff Business School Welsh Economy research Unit
• Tor Arnesen, Eastern Norway Research Institute

Future Events:

• Title: Community Ownership and Local Renewable Energy
  Date: 20th - 21st March 2012
  Location: The Gigha Hotel, Isle of Gigha, Argyll, Scotland
  Call for Papers