The national network for neighbourhood improvement is a unique community of practice for local and combined authority officers, dedicated to partnership working, and community-led, place-based regeneration.
The network builds on learning from local government pioneers, evidence from past regeneration programmes, and the recent experience of the Big Local programme: a first-of-its-kind initiative that puts power, resources and decision-making into the hands of local communities to enable them to transform and improve their lives and areas. 3ni is led by Capacity, with support from Local Trust.
The network exists to share the latest research, foster innovative best and next practice, and support peer-learning and collaboration, in order to advance successful and sustainable approaches to neighbourhood renewal. Its agenda is developed in partnership with its members and an advisory group of local authority chief executives and directors, to ensure it responds to and meets the need of local government.
It seeks to build stronger links between those neighbourhoods most in need of support and resources and local government regeneration practice, by sharing evidence and developing tools to enable investment in the foundational social infrastructure required for communities to thrive and prosper. The network advocates for an asset-based and community-led approach to neighbourhood regeneration, one that builds upon the strengths and resources that already exist in a given neighbourhood, rather than a top-down process, or a one-size-fits-all off-the-shelf programme.
It also builds on the Community Needs Index (CNI) evidence base developed by Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion in partnership with Local Trust, to objectively identify community strengths and needs at the neighbourhood level.
Everybody needs good neighbourhoods 2 (4.83 MiB)
3ni has collaborated with OCSI, Local Trust, and Shared Intelligence to deliver an innovative counterfactual research study on the importance of residents leading change in their neighbourhoods. This work compares 29 areas with neighbourhood-led initiatives, including Big Local programme areas, to similar benchmark places without such initiatives. The findings clearly demonstrate that neighbourhood-led initiatives lead to better outcomes across multiple factors.
The 3ni Social Capital Score (1.42 MiB)
This paper explores the importance of understanding social capital and why current ways to measure it have fallen short. It outlines a clear methodology on the development of the social capital score and the potential political implications this new score has.
Last year’s study visit gave local government officers the space to step away from their desks and immerse themselves in community‑led practice. This time we travelled to the North East, beginning in Sunderland. Sunderland City Council set the scene with their regeneration plans and their move towards a more community‑driven approach. We then headed to Back on the Map in Hendon, where residents are leading the transformation of their neighbourhood. At SARA (Southwick Altogether Raising Aspirations), we saw how a shared community hub, with logos stripped away and organisations working side by side, has shifted the dynamic in the area. We rounded off the day at the Bunnyhill family hub, hearing how they support families from babies through to teenagers.
Day two took us to Gateshead to meet Changing Futures Northumbria and learn about their person‑centred work with people facing multiple challenges. We then joined the North East Social Capital Summit, hosted by 3ni, which brought together organisations from across the region to reflect on what helps communities thrive.
A huge thank you to everyone who welcomed us, shared their work and made the visit possible. Our full report brings together the insights from both days, and for a quick snapshot, our video captures the highlights and the conversations that stayed with us.