We undertake a range of activities designed to achieve our four strategic objectives, including; research and policy work, events and outreach, publications and information.

Research and Policy Work
Our research work is based on filling gaps in evidence and emerging trends related to our strategic priorities. We want to build up a knowledge base demonstrating good practice in community-led regeneration. Our research includes small snapshot research as well as more substantial and in-depth projects.

Our research provides us with evidence to inform policy and practice. We reflect community sector perspectives in policy making and strengthen opportunities for grass roots groups to directly engage with decision making, nationally and locally. We try to actively support the participation of those not currently engaged in policy making.

Over recent years we have conducted research on issues like; Community Empowerment Networks, Local Area Agreements, Women's Involvement in Local Strategic Partnerships, Ethnic Minorities Representation in Local Strategic Partnerships, the Planning System and relationships between Councillors and community representatives.

Find our more about our current research work here

Events and Outreach
Urban Forum's events programme is made up of different sorts of events, from our annual conference to small, informal gatherings of members. They are designed to help exchange skills, knowledge and experience, discuss and debate relevant topics and to inform and guide our policy work. We also work in partnership with other organisations in hosting events and contribute regularly to local, national and regional events.

Our Network Development Officers act as a link between local community perspectives and our wider policy work. Our Network Development work is designed to ensure that our policy work and evidence base is directly informed by intelligence gathering on the ground.

Find out about our forthcoming events here

Publications and Information
We produce a range of practical guides, policy briefings, analysis and research reports, as well as our members' magazine 'Urban Clearway'. Our publications provide information to help community groups to engage with, and influence, local decisions and to be as effective in their work as possible.

We use electronic and printed publications, recognising that different people access information in different ways. Urban Clearway is our bi-monthly members' magazine and is complemented by Policy Round-Up and Infomail email bulletins. Our Handy Guides provide essential information needed to understand a particular issue or policy and Policy Briefings and Policy Reports provide information and evidence on key issues and policy development.

Check out our practical guides, policy briefings, research reports and other publications

To find out about our activities in the year up to September 2011 read our Report on Urban Forum work 2010-2011