AGORA

AGORA's Purpose
AGORA is a £2.7 million project, part-funded by the European Social Fund's Equal programme that is aimed at reversing economic decline by ensuring the centre is run for and serves the needs of all its local stakeholders. Led by The Association of Town Centre Management and Manchester Metropolitan University, the two year project will empower local communities in predominantly deprived areas to manage their town and/or district centres following sustainable social enterprise management models. This community-led approach will build on the experience of existing town centre management schemes to develop innovative models of place management that ensure local people have a vital input into the regeneration of their local centres.

Agora Key Objectives

• To create an AGORA observatory that measures and builds understanding of place management with specific reference to the role of social enterprise.
• To develop and support 8 AGORA pilot communities that will test out alternative social enterprise approaches to place management in predominantly deprived retail-focussed areas.
• To augment and support existing training and education infrastructures to deliver training and qualifications relevant to the needs of those involved in place management.
• To construct a pan-European network, linking policy and practitioner audiences interested in the social, economic and environmental health of towns and cities.
  

http://www.agora.uk.net/