Economic development is about developing new jobs, targeting jobs on those in most need and helping people become more skilled for work. Helping people into work can improve the economy of an area, as people with jobs spend some of their earnings in their neighbourhood, which in turn helps others.

PEP can help to support such initiatives by offering:

• Training

• Consulting and carrying out options studies

• Solutions for the future such as a mix of local labour schemes, Local Exchange Trading (LETS), credit unions and other options

• Developing business plans

• Helping to develop social enterprises

• Negotiating guaranteed interviews with employers

A resource pack based on our projects is published as
Local Economic Initiatives - A resource pack for making economic change in neighbourhoods.
To receive a FREE copy (44 pages, pdf format) email your request to admin@pep.org.uk 

Recent clients

• Innovation into Action – two pilot economic option studies in Lewes, East Sussex and Coalville, Leicestershire

• Leathermarket JMB

• Ore Valley RSO – PEP worked with 1066 HA and others to set up this social enterprise, which is now independent

Case Study

In Southwark, PEP worked with the tenant management organisation, Leathermarket Joint Management Board, to set up a Resident Services Organisation (RSO).

This is a community led organisation which employs local people to deliver local services. The RSO employs grounds maintenance and cleaning staff and has managed the improvement of a community hall. The RSO is developing other services.

PEP helped to provide residents and staff with the skills to set up the company and develop the business plan. We helped recruit and support the manager and administrator. We provided some of the training for local unemployed residents.

The project is detailed in I can do that published by PEP and funded by Innovation into Action.