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A Manifesto for Rural Communities ? Inspiring Community Innovation

A Manifesto for Rural Communities ? Inspiring Community Innovation
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Author:
Carnegie Rural Development Programme
Year: 2009
ISBN: 978-0-900259-58-6
Carnegie UK Trust has long championed the work of rural communities across the UK and Ireland. Our report, A Charter for Rural Communities was published in June 2007. This new publication, A Manifesto for Rural Communities, builds upon the vision provided in the Charter but acknowledges the accelerating pace of economic and social change. Here we set out some very positive opportunities for rural communities (and indeed communities everywhere) to survive and thrive during what are proving to be turbulent times. This publication draws upon a rich source of evidence from real places. During the past four years, in a unique collaboration between Carnegie UK Trust and Big Lottery, forty-four progressive organisations and communities have explored some of the most pressing challenges facing rural communities.

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History

Carnegie UK was founded in 1913 with a $10 million endowment from Andrew Carnegie. 

Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American businessman who became one of the richest Americans of all time chiefly through his involvement in the steel industry. Toward the end of his life, Carnegie gave away the vast majority of his fortune and encouraged others to do the same with their personal wealth. 

Carnegie was born in Dunfermline in Fife where we are still based today and emigrated to the United States at the age of 12.  

In creating the UK trust at the age of 78, Carnegie defined its purpose as:

“…the improvement of the well-being of the masses of the people of Great Britain and Ireland by such means as are embraced within the meaning of the word ‘charitable’ and which the Trustees may from time to time select as best fitted from age to age for securing these purposes, remembering that new needs are constantly arising….”

Over the following century Carnegie UK supported hundreds of projects including the building of libraries across the length of the British Isles; schemes supporting the arts and the natural environment; a wide range of inquiries; innovative social welfare programmes; and action to promote health and nutrition in the United Kingdom.

More than 100 years on from the original endowment, we recognise that Carnegie built much of his wealth on practices that are not in line with our understanding of wellbeing today. The process of steelmaking damaged the environment and his organisations’ employment approaches did not meet our own definition of Good Work, which recognises the importance of employee representation and voice alongside other measures of employee wellbeing.

As Carnegie UK looks to the future, we believe we can continue to make a positive difference to the people of the UK and Ireland. But it is important for us to recognise the historic origins of our endowment and to reflect these in the decisions we make about how we use our money and our voice in the present.

In 2004

Carnegie UK moved away from taking grant applications and became an operating foundation: “seeking to influence public debate, public policy and practice through independent commissions of inquiry, pro-active research and strategic partnerships…”.

At the same time, and marking this shift, we launched the Carnegie Commission for Rural Community Development, an influential multi-year programme which prompted real advances in rural policy.  Learning from this work and similar approaches helped to shape the public policy organisation we are today.

Carnegie UK shares its premises with two other organisations founded by Andrew Carnegie: the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust and The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland.

In 2013

Carnegie UK published a book about its 100 year history which can be supplied on request.

Investment

Carnegie UK is a charitable foundation established with an endowment from Andrew Carnegie over 100 years ago.

We cover our operating costs with income from investments. In 2022, we moved our investment portfolio to a new asset manager and adopted a Statement of Investment Policy which reflects our ethics and values. The Statement of Investment policy recognises the damage that exploitative and extractive practices have had on people and planet and commits Carnegie UK to addressing these in our investment practice.

Carnegie UK is a signatory to the Funder Commitment on Climate Change, which is hosted by the Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF). This challenges us to develop our environmental practice, including in our investment strategy, and to report on it publicly on an annual basis.  We are also currently researching how to address historic and current racial injustices through our investment approach.

September 15, 2022

New Chair appointed for Carnegie UK – David Emerson CBE takes post as Sir John Elvidge completes term

by Carnegie UK

David Emerson is the new chair of Carnegie UK, succeeding Sir John Elvidge who has completed a five-year term.

Mr Emerson will chair their board of trustees, overseeing the work of the social change organisation that promotes collective wellbeing. He joins the Dunfermline-based foundation that works across the UK and Ireland, a year after the body published their strategy for change.

Mr Emerson is the current chair of Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) and Longleigh Foundation and was for 15 years chief executive of the Association of Charitable Foundations.

Mr Emerson said: “I am honoured to be joining Carnegie UK – an organisation with a distinguished heritage, and values which align with my own. With storm clouds on the horizon for families and communities across the UK, Carnegie UK’s focus on collective wellbeing is more important than ever.

“I am looking forward to bringing the experience I gained working with other charitable foundations to Carnegie UK. Working with my fellow trustees, I believe that we can ensure the organisation delivers meaningful change.”

Paying tribute to his predecessor, David Emerson said: “With a relationship with Carnegie UK that dates back to 2012, John was instrumental in shaping the organisation as it is today. He set the bar of ambition high and helped Trustees navigate a period of strategic change. John leaves big shoes to fill, but I know that working with Sarah and colleagues we can rise to the challenge.”

Former Scottish Government Permanent Secretary Sir John Elvidge became a fellow of Carnegie UK in 2012 to lead their influential Enabling State work, which explored a new relationship between governments, individuals and communities. He was appointed a trustee in 2014 and became chair of the board in 2017.

Sarah Davidson, chief executive of Carnegie UK, said: “John made a huge contribution to Carnegie UK’s thinking and practice over the past decade.

“In addition to providing invaluable counsel on the UK’s public policy landscape, he was actively involved in key programmes of work, including in Northern Ireland. He leaves Carnegie UK in a strong position for the future.”

Sir John Elvidge said: “It has been my privilege to help steer Carnegie UK through a period of substantial economic, cultural and social change. On more than one front, we’ve broken public policy ground, and moved the dial in discussions about our collective priorities.

“Throughout my tenure, the staff and trustee team at Carnegie UK have been insightful, committed and kind. I am certain that with David and Sarah at the helm, the organisation will continue to push forward the debate about the world we want to live in.”

For more information, contact Stuart Mackinnon