Projects & Impact | Deep Boroughs Network

Projects & Impact | Deep Boroughs Network Overview

DBN champions inclusive community research, citizen engagement, and collaborative co-design projects that uplift overlooked communities and local businesses across East London, including Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East Bank partners, and the Royal Docks.

Key Initiatives

Community Anchor Network (CAN) – East London

DBN partners with CAN to embed community voice into local decision-making and place-based regeneration around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and East Bank.

Creative Spaces – Collaborative Co-Design

Impact Highlights

Amplifying underrepresented voices in policy and service design
Shifting power through citizen-led research
Co-designing inclusive public services and community spaces

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Community Research Network - Empowering Local Voices

Community Research Network

The Community Research Networks (CRN) programme is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and delivered by The Young Foundation. It builds community capacity, capability, and connectivity, enabling equitable, community-led research across the UK.

Aims & Impact

Shift power to communities through citizen-led research
Amplify underrepresented voices in policy and service design
Co-design inclusive public services using evidence-based insight
Build long-term local research capacity for equitable growth

As one of nine national UKRI Phase 2 projects, NCRN strengthens community-led research ecosystems, addressing inequality and driving sustainable, positive change.

About UKRI Research & The Young Foundation

About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the UK’s largest public funder of research and innovation, with a budget of around £8bn. It brings together seven research councils, Innovate UK, and Research England, working nationwide with universities, businesses, government, charities, and research organisations.

UKRI’s mission is to convene, invest, and collaborate to build an inclusive research and innovation system that connects discovery to prosperity and public good, enabling people across the UK to contribute and benefit.

About The Young Foundation

The Young Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation driving community research and social innovation. It brings together communities, organisations, and policymakers to understand lived experience and support collective action.

Through community-led research and innovative programmes, The Young Foundation helps shape fairer futures and powers the Institute for Community Studies.

Knowledge Keepers

The Knowledge Keepers : Celebrating the Wisdom, Women's Struggles, and diverse Stories of Local Voices Who Shape Our Community

Community Anchor Network (CAN) project

Empowering Communities for Equitable Change.

Deep Boroughs Network collaborates with Community Anchor Network (CAN) – East London & LLDC Partnerships

DBN partners with CAN to embed community voice into local decision-making and place-based regeneration around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and East Bank.