The Area Based Initiative (ABI) Forum has been created in response to a need to improve communication and interchange between and by Government Departments and others about area based interventions.
The Forum will operate as an electronic network and through regular meetings to provide those running and involved in the delivery of ABIs an arena to exchange information, discuss key developments and issues of mutual concern. The Forum will help create a body of best practice that will enhance delivery mechanisms and joint working. The outputs will be circulated widely to those preparing or running area-based initiatives.
Membership of the Forum will be relevant to practitioners drawn from Government Departments, Government Offices, those evaluating ABIs, academics, representatives from local authorities, business and the community and voluntary sectors.
The Forum can be found at: www.rcu.gov.uk/abi/forum and details of future events and best practice material will be made freely available. Members of the Forum will be able to exchange ideas, comment and provide suggestions in a moderated IT environment.
Online discussions will enable members to contribute to discussions on policy issues and other key developments as they arise. Members will be encouraged to identify the theme of the discussions and to promote positive outcomes, the discussions will be time bound with specific objectives and the results will be disseminated.
We propose to run a number of topic-based events a year and each will focus on the delivery and dissemination of a particular output. Depending on demand, some of these will be run on a regional basis.
Topics currently under consideration include:
· Co-ordination of Evaluation
· Mainstreaming
· Partnership best practice
· Evidence based policy making
· Opportunities for Experimentation
· Integrated delivery - case studies
For further information on the Forum please contact Nike Shadiya on 020 7217
3343 or nshadiya.rcu@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk.