The Local Trust aims to inspire and motivate people to get involved and lead change in their communities. It currently works to achieve this through Big Local, an initiative funded by The Big Lottery, which supports people in communities across England to grow resilient, resident led change.                                                                                            

Led by Professor Peter Tyler, Professor of Urban and Regional Economics in the Department of Land Economy at the University of Cambridge, and Dr Gemma Burgess, Acting Director of CCHPR, this project tested whether local, community-based development is likely to lead to significant economic change when it is bolstered by the involvement of local people and adequate long term support, in terms of both finance and capacity.                                                                                                 

The research comprised a review of relevant, existing initiatives, as well as interviews with stakeholders, and focused on the potential for future economic development in 'left behind' areas.