Together for Change (TfC) has partnered with the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD) to launch a project aimed at developing a Community Asset-Based Engagement Tool. This project marks the first step in creating a practical and dynamic resource that can be used by partnerships at the local, regional, and national levels to better understand and utilise community assets.
The tool is designed to enable communities, public bodies, and stakeholders to map, engage with, and leverage local assets—such as public services, infrastructure, and community resources—in ways that create long-term wellbeing and sustainable development. This initiative supports the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, which focuses on placing sustainable development and wellbeing at the core of decision-making.
The key objectives of the collaboration between TfC and WISERD include:
- Restructuring the existing community asset database compiled by Together for Change for the county of Pembrokeshire, making it more user-friendly, accessible, and easier to query and analyse.
- Conducting a scoping exercise to explore whether the data collection process for the database can be automated and expanded to cover other local authorities.
- Integrating data from wider-reaching sources, including InfoEngine (a directory of third sector services in Wales) and OpenStreetMap, to ensure comprehensive and scalable coverage of place-based assets.
Through this work, TfC and WISERD are developing a resource that will help to identify local assets more effectively and support community-led organisations in addressing gaps in service provision. The findings will enable communities to improve their engagement and decision-making capabilities while creating opportunities for collaboration across sectors.
Sue Denman, Together for Change, said:
“We are delighted to work with WISERD to create a tool that will be instrumental in transforming how communities identify and use their local assets. This resource will support partnerships at every level to make informed, strategic decisions that align with the principles of wellbeing economics and sustainable development in Wales.”
The project has involved consultation with local communities and statutory partners to ensure it meets real-world needs. The next phase will focus on expanding the tool to other regions, refining it based on feedback, and developing interactive data dashboards to make it more accessible.
Engaging communities and stakeholders will be key to ensuring the tool’s suitability and accuracy, with the ultimate goal of creating a co-produced, widely accessible resource that supports wellbeing across rural Wales.
Notes to Editors
- The Project was commissioned by Together for Change which is core funded by the National Lottery Community Fund Wales and a small grant by Hywel Dda University Health Board with additional resource from WISERD.
- WISERD is a leading research institute in Wales, focusing on social and economic research to improve the wellbeing of communities across the country.
- The Community Asset-Based Engagement Tool aims to assist in the implementation of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 by making community resources more visible and accessible.
English 
Welsh 