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June 2023

Community agency, control and wellbeing

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Community agency, control and wellbeing
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The quick read

The evidence review explored community agency and control, and their effects on  community wellbeing.

It identified several common features that influence collective agency and control at the community level:

  • Opportunities for community connections
  • Ability to make decisions
  • Availability and size of funding
  • Maturity of community agency, including existing relationships

The research provides good indications that improved community agency and control can lead to improved community wellbeing.

Other key insights:

  • Communities have different starting points and do not necessarily respond in the same way when exercising their agency and control.
  • The picture is mixed: 14 of the 27 studies reported some neutral or negative impacts.
  • There are evidence gaps for evaluation of the long-term impact of place-based interventions and more needs to be known about the impact of community agency and control being limited.

This research can be used to shape further research and policymaking, as well as guide funding decisions and practitioner activity.

Close The quick read

Background

The study

What did we find?

Research implications

Recommendations for action

Citation

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You may also wish to read the blog article on this document.

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