Case studies
What impacts did the Neighbourhood Resilience Programme have?
In the Neighbourhood Resilience Programme (NRP), system resilience referred to the capacity of residents, workers and organisations in the Neighbourhoods For Learning (NsFL) to act collectively to address some of the drivers of poor health in the local population.
NRP impacts
The NRP’s framework identifies five domains or “system properties” that the programme was attempting to change for the better: social connectedness, cultural coherence, economic resources, environmental conditions and governance systems. The programme had limited new funding so expectations about the scale of change that could be achieved were limited. However, the evaluation revealed changes across all domains with those in the social and cultural realms being most significant. Importantly, activities in any one of these domains contributed to impacts in others. Collaborative work on environmental improvements, for example, strengthened existing social connections and created new ones.
Social connectedness
Enhanced social connectivity between residents, other system players and organisations within neighbourhoods led to positive impacts on resilience.
Enhancing cultural resilience
The co-creation of stories capturing the history and current experience in neighbourhoods enhanced system and cultural resilience through shared interests and beliefs.
Contributing to the local economy
Working with business, employers, residents and local organisations diverse actions contributed to the local economy through services, skills development, employment, volunteering and grant funding.
Improving the living environment
Focusing on issues such as air quality, green spaces, road safety and litter, Neighbourhoods for Learning took action that improved their local environment.
Facilitating collaborative place governance
Spaces that enabled participative governance led to collectively identified solutions to problems and challenges, new alliances and partnerships, and greater influence over decisions affecting the neighbourhood.