GRID: An opportunity to drive inclusive innovation and prosperity in the Glasgow City Region
The Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID) is a partnership between the University of Glasgow, Scottish Enterprise and Glasgow City Council. Whilst the partnership is part of the wider innovation eco-system, GRID is founded on an inclusive innovation approach by building strong local partnerships between people, organisations and communities. GRID aims to support the delivery and distribution of inclusive outcomes for Glasgow and inspire communities to become involved in shaping the delivery of GRID.
Encompassing both banks of the River Clyde, GRID aims to create an environment which will boost existing collaborations with industry and encourage the formation of new ones. GRID offers the city the chance to reimagine our proud industrial heritage for the 21st century and to establish Glasgow’s leadership in the hi-tech industries of the future.
The community of Govan is at the heart of GRID which, with its rich history of migration, is one of Scotland’s most ethnically diverse communities. Govan is also one of Scotland’s most socially and economically deprived communities and has suffered large scale de-industrialisation. The area has a mature and embedded community network and GRID aims to ensure that people across the broad spectrum of diversity, who are traditionally underrepresented in entrepreneurial and innovation activities, are empowered to contribute to the development of an inclusive and sustainable innovation approach to the GRID.
Engaging Communities: reimagining inclusive prosperity and innovation in Govan
Engaging local stakeholders and community members is key to GRID’s delivery of a 20-year strategy. We want to provide a step change in the way people and communities are connected to innovation decision-making and to ensure it identifies the most productive forms of interaction between academic communities and the surrounding public.
GRID recognises that those who know the community and its needs best – residents and local organisations – should be central to the development of the strategy. To support community involvement, we are conducting a series of ‘conversations’ during the summer of 2021, focussed on “reimagining inclusive prosperity and innovation in Govan” through the eyes of the community. The aim is to help bring local people, communities and public agencies together in closer dialogue to support the development of a GRID Strategy and Action Plan and to ensure it best reflects community needs and aspirations.
To do this, we are working with existing groups, networks and structures currently engaged in promoting social and economic growth across the area, including the Thriving Places networks and Central Govan Action Plan (CGAP) members. Our aim is to develop mutual understanding of the views and experiences of the community of Govan, to help develop a GRID programme that is truly informed and designed for those living and working in the surrounding area.
We will produce a report on the outcome and findings from the process of planned engagement, with a view to establishing a Citizens’ Advisory Panel to continue to engage local communities in our GRID plans.
To find out more:
If you are interested in taking part in these ‘conversations’ or want to find out more about GRID and how you can be involved, please contact Benny McLaughlin, Programme Director of GRID: benny.mclaughlin@glasgow.ac.uk.
