Our policy positions set out what we think on the key topics central to our work. They are informed by our values, our research, and almost forty years of working with communities.

Our research and reports aim to share the learning from our programmes and the work we do in local communities, providing insight for practitioners and policy-makers who share our goals.

Many of our reports come directly from the learning generated by our projects and programmes. We also commission and carry out original research to add to the evidence base both for our work and to share with policy makers in a position to change things for the better.

We use policy and research to support our three core aims:

  • Improving people’s prospects
  • Creating better places
  • Promoting greener living and working

You can view our latest reports and policy positions below or view all of our reports by topic.


  • Fair, Green and Well

    Climate change, nature recovery, and health inequity are three of the biggest challenges facing society today. Well planned local action can help to address all three together while bringing a whole range of benefits to local communities. However, if we view each of these challenges in isolation, we risk missing opportunities to create to healthier,…

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  • Making Up Ground

    This report looks at the place of green infrastructure in urban regeneration policy and spending, from the early 1980s to the present day. Our analysis of recent funding for place-based regeneration allocated through the Levelling Up Fund and the UK Community Renewal Fund found that: We argue that green infrastructure is essential to both economic…

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  • A young girl in a wheelchair having fun in green space with two adult women

    From the Ground Up

    Empowering communities through environmental action Taking a community centred approach to policy and practice will be vital to ‘levelling’ up, addressing health inequalities and supporting a just transition to a low carbon economy. Groundwork is expert in achieving community development through environmental projects and, through our forty years of experience, we have identified key ingredients…

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View by topic

Green jobs

To create a more sustainable future and improve prospects for everyone, all jobs should be green jobs.

Climate and nature

Community action on tackling the climate and nature emergencies.

Health and wellbeing

Supporting good health in our communities.

Communities in control

How and why we should be putting communities in control of their future.

Supporting young people

Reports on youth participation, youth work and young people’s education and employment.