Themes

Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales will put in place the foundation of research and innovation to support the realisation of a Wellbeing Economy in rural Wales, corresponding with one of the four missions of the Future Generations Commissioner in Wales.  A Wellbeing Economy combines vibrant economic activities that provide jobs and good incomes for local residents with social justice for current and future generations on a healthy planet in which citizens are actively engaged in their communities. To help achieve this vision, the work of Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales is structured around four themes that have been identified with stakeholders.

Each theme has a linked Thematic Group made up of researchers, policy-makers, practitioners, and community representatives. The Thematic Groups provide a forum for intelligence sharing and knowledge exchange and shape the Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales work programme by identifying evidence gaps and needs and proposing topics for research and analysis. If you are interested in joining a Thematic Group please contact LPIP@aber.ac.uk for more information and an Expression of Interest form.

Building a Regenerative Economy

Theme Leads: Sophie Bennett-Gillison (Aberystwyth University) and Bronwen Raine (Antur Cymru)

The Building a Regenerative Economy Theme is concerned with the challenge of promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development in rural Wales, that is ‘regenerative’ both in the regeneration of places through investment and in emphasizing environmental sustainability. The Theme will consider how to promote ‘growth’ and ‘innovation’ in a rural context and how to ensure that the workforce have required skills. Its remit also includes issues around entrepreneurship and business support and development across sectors including agri-food, tourism, energy, manufacturing, and services, with aims of addressing the ‘missing middle’ of medium-sized firms in rural Wales, increasing productivity, raising wage levels, and helping to retain young people in rural communities.

Empowering Communities for Cultural Recovery

Theme Leads: Eifiona Thomas Lane (Bangor  University) and Osian Gwynn (Pontio)

The Empowering Communities for Cultural Recovery Theme explores innovative approaches to fostering social and cultural community resilience that reflects local place identities. This includes sustaining majority Welsh-speaking communities, but also wider local rural identities and cultures, whilst additionally seeking to embed the inclusion of diverse rural populations in local development and community renaissance. It is also concerned with the potential contribution of rural and Welsh-language culture and heritage in supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Enhancing Wellbeing in Place

Theme Leads: Paul Milbourne (Cardiff  University) and Anna Prytherch (Rural Health and Care Wales)

The Enhancing Wellbeing in Place Theme is concerned with the financial, physical, social and emotional wellbeing of people living in rural Wales. It covers issues around poverty, inequality, and deprivation; health and care; housing; and access to services – including understanding processes shaping these issues (e.g. social determinants of health, dynamics of financial exclusion, etc.), the impacts of policy decisions (e.g. rationalization of public services) and exploring innovation in policy and practice to enhance wellbeing.

Supporting the Net Zero Transition

Theme Leads: Sophie Wynne-Jones (Bangor  University) and Grant Peisley (Datblygiadau Egni Gwledig)

The Supporting the Net Zero Transition Theme focuses on challenges for businesses, landowners and communities in rural Wales in negotiating the transition to a net zero economy and society. These include projected changes in rural land use and farming practices (e.g afforestation, increased renewable energy production, land management for ecosystem services), and associated shifts in the mode of income-generation in the rural economy, as well as prospective impacts on rural communities, businesses and service provision from the removal of carbon-based transport and energy. Opportunities for innovation to support sustainable behaviours and practices are also covered.