Compost London is working in partnership with Newham Council and United Kingdom Research and Innovation(UKRI), to empower communities to develop grassroots research agendas and build capability and expertise in community-led forms of research and innovation.

Too many communities across the UK feel that research is done to them, and not with or for them. Through this programme, Compost London are pulling together communities to identify and undertake research that matters to them, in ways that ensure the benefits remain with the community.

This way of working recognises and values the knowledge that communities hold about the issues they face and the solutions required.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has awarded £25,000 in the first phase of its £3.6million Community Research Networks programme. The We Are Newham Community Research Network received initial scoping funding to set up a research network centred on marginalised groups in Newham, including refugees, young people with SEND, and marginalised women. The goal is to build grassroots research capability within these groups to drive community priorities and social change.

An application for £1 million 5-year implementation funding was submitted by our groups in July 2024.