Bristol is one of 10 other areas in the UK that benefits from URBAN II. The other areas are Wrexham, Belfast, Burnley, Halifax, Hetton & Murton, Normanton in Derby, Peterborough, Stockwell, Thames Gateway and Clyde Waterfront.
URBAN has now finished its delivery phase - unfortunately, funding is no longer available through the Programme.
URBAN II was a European Union funded programme, which began in 2000 and reached full commitment in 2006/7. We’ve funded over 40 fantastic projects in South Bristol, which covers the areas of Hartcliffe, Knowle West and Withywood. What all of these areas have in common are high levels of long-term unemployment, social exclusion and crime, exacerbated by low levels of economic activity, education and skills and a particularly run down environment.
To find out more about some of our projects and the work they have done to address these issues and improve the lives and opportunities of young people living in the area, just take a look at the URBAN II Projects section on the left.
What made URBAN II different to other large funding programmes, whether national or European, was that it was a community–led initiative with a difference; local young people aged between 10-30 were the decision makers. Using their skills, enthusiasm and knowledge of the local area and its issues, together with support from the Urban team, the young people on our Steering Committee, known as the Urban Partnership Group (UPG) made the decisions and determined how the Programme evolved. URBAN II thus empowered local young people to make positive changes within their community and feel confident that their views matter. We are also committed to ensuring that young people are seen and see themselves as the solution and not the problem; something that will continue even after the programme has closed.
The 2006/7 UPG Chair, Sarah Fowles, said...
"The fact that Urban 2 is co-managed by young people has made me want to better myself and my community and to show others that young people are not always the troublemakers. I also like the fact that we make decisions and our thoughts count. I don’t know any other project like this and I think it is a brilliant idea! It is nice to have our thoughts heard and acted upon, especially when you think we are the future."
Our main areas of work were:
• OUR WORK - to break down barriers to social inclusion, raising skill levels and increasing job opportunities.
• OUR PLACE - to improve the local environment and facilities for Young People.
• OUR FUTURE - to promote the active involvement of Young People in their communities and enable them to influence decisions that affect them now and in the future.
Relevant links
