Newham’s People Powered Places becomes a World leader in participatory democracy

This year’s People Powered Places programme attracted 366 separate applications for funding for projects across the borough.

Following shortlisting, over 10,000 residents cast their votes during the programme’s ‘The Big Vote’ to decide allocations, with over 12,000 registering on Newham Co-Create to take part in this AND future participatory projects.

Councillor Charlene McLean, Cabinet member for Resident Engagement and Experience said: “This year’s People Powered Places programme has put Newham on the World map as a leader of participatory democracy. CitizenLab which developed the Newham Co-Create platform says that there are now 13,878 active users – that’s more than any other of its 500-plus global clients.

“The people of Newham have truly embraced this programme and are now exercising their power to directly affect where £1.68 million is spent on local projects across the borough.

“From mental health projects and peer support groups to youth-led projects and community gardens, this money, directed by the people for the people, will be a real game changer. I can’t wait to see the projects come to fruition.”

The winning projects have now been informed and will start the real work of getting the projects off the ground.

People Powered Places is one of the largest participatory budgeting programmes in the country. For the first time, Newham residents had the opportunity to decide how the £1.6m of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL), money allocated to the programme, will be spent in a single round – with £200,000 per Community Neighbourhood made available. There was an additional £80,000 contributed by the Royal Docks Team for projects in Beckton, the Royal Docks and Custom House & Canning Town.

Dan Bridge, Programme Director Royal Docks Team, said: “The Royal Docks Team is delighted to support Newham Council’s People Powered Places programme. Ensuring local people are at the heart of the area’s transformation is a key priority for the Team, and through this initiative we will be able to help nurture and grow genuine community-led initiatives that will improve the area and its amenities - as decided by local people. The Royal Docks has a proud reputation for its pioneering spirit, and so it is fantastic that we are able to contribute to such a ground-breaking initiative.”

The Young Entrepreneur's Book Club is a project aimed at empowering the ambitious youth of Newham, aged 15 to 25, to unlock their entrepreneurial potential.

20 year old, project lead Faisal Islam, said: “The Young Entrepreneur's Book Club is a visionary project aimed at empowering the ambitious youth of Newham, aged 15 to 25, to unlock their entrepreneurial potential. Our core mission is to educate, inspire, and foster a sense of community among these future leaders.

“Our project revolves around the establishment of a vibrant book club that focuses on entrepreneurship literature.”

In 2023, community assemblies were re-launched as People Powered Places. Newham's participatory budgeting programme has since gained new momentum and reached more residents and voluntary, community and faith sector organisations than ever before.

One such group, is local climate change education initiative, ClimateYouChange. Their focus is on community sharing of knowledge about changes all of us can make to lower our carbon footprint, as individuals, community groups and together with the decision makers at a local and national level.

Founder, Celia Wain-Heapy said: “We are a group of extremely concerned individuals, worried about the future we will leave our children and the suffering already being experienced in parts of the globe on the frontline of climate change.”

Among the projects the group will undertake are a range of sustainable cooking, growing and fashion upcycling, community workshops and Newham’s first ever Food Forest.

Celia said: “We will lead workshops in the Katherine Road Community Centre and establish Newham’s first food forest in the centre’s front garden. This will be used as an educational tool and a food source for the local community.

A food forest is a perennial, layered food-growing system with a wide variety of plants providing natural ecosystems and ease of management. This can produce a huge amount of food in a smaller footprint, with fruit trees, fruit bushes, ground cover and understory plants, including perennial vegetables, low-growing fruit and leafy greens maximising space below trees.

“Food forests provide a host of great benefits. They are low-input, organic systems, designed to repel/treat pests without toxic, powerfully warming, greenhouse gas emitting pesticides. They improve soil health, sequester carbon dioxide and are an important tool in creating future food resilience.”

Resident-led working groups will monitor the groups who have been awarded funds alongside council officers to check on their progress and offer support. Newham residents will have an opportunity to follow the progress on Newham Co-create and at the next People Powered Places event in the summer 2024.

King Ogunremi, who runs the Barber Connect project, is a successful former winner who is now looking to expand. His project is already training youngsters in the art of barbering to tap into their creativity and give vital employment opportunities.

He said: “After the Barber Connect Project's success, we're launching a new project to provide youth employment opportunities in our community. With 17 years of Newham barbering experience, I'm concerned about rising crime due to limited opportunities for children who've faced rejection.

“I'll mentor teens in barbering to provide them skills to earn a living. We will also organise free summer haircut events at places like Canning Town Library to promote community engagement and spirit. The funding from Newham People Powered Places will help us to empower youth and promote an inclusive economy, benefit our community.”

Cllr McLean said: “I’m really excited about all these projects and look forward to seeing how they develop and inspire others to come together to make a difference in our communities. We will make sure to update all residents as the projects come on stream so everyone can share in the success.”