Innovation Hubs

The concept lends itself to a huge range of possibilities. Activities could incorporate cultural gatherings around food and music, Gift Circles (for sharing resources, ideas and equipment), educational programmes, spaces for collaboration and networking - and much more. Shared agreements and principles around such things as earth care and the ethical sourcing of resources could also be a creative part of the mix. 

For local authorities who wish to collaborate on delivering community solutions to the social and climate emergencies, an Innovation Hub provides a tangible next step. It offers a focus for sustainable business incubation as well as for improving community resilience, all of which will go some way towards supporting local mitigation and adaptation to the climate emergency.  

​

We are working with Norwich Eco Hub who are taking a lead with this initiative in Norwich. 

The CEC network have put together a template (the CEC Handbook) mapping out key steps from deciding what sort of building and setup is wanted, to undertaking community outreach and setting up a legal entity.

Some CECs have been working with an approach which it calls the ‘Business Model’, which involves first researching and identifying empty buildings. Next the landlord is approached with a proposal, and invited to form a partnership to negotiate with the Local Authority to seek up to 100% business rate relief. The understanding would be that the landlord then donates a percentage of their savings to develop the community hub. So, for example, a two-storey office block might pay rates of £70,000 and obtain 100% relief from the Council, with, say, 30% (£21,000) going to the project. 

Aside from this model, there are other options to consider too such as obtaining a space through direct action, liberating or occupying a building, working with developers and/or the council, utilising existing social spaces, renting, setting up a coop or a Community Land Trust and buying a property for long-term community use. 

The Business Model has been successfully pioneered by a number of groups, including one of the first CECs at Ilford in Essex, where they have converted an unoccupied building which was formerly the site of a Homebase store. With a two-year extendable lease, they have set up accommodation for a live-in caretaker and introduced a variety of projects and activities including a repair cafe, an exhibition space, a community cinema, a pop-up art gallery, and a library.

​

Below: some ideas from a brainstorming session (pictured with Abie's foot).