A report has been published which shares insights and lessons from the first year of Model City London.

The ‘Model City’ programme was originally developed by Laureus Sport for Good and launched in the USA. The programme is aimed at improving social integration through sport and empowering local people to drive the change they want to see in their community.

It started in London with three pilot projects in Barking, Haringey and Hounslow. Community co-ordinators in each of the boroughs have liaised with local stakeholders such as community organisations, youth groups and faith groups to identify local challenges and opportunities.

The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) is working with the partners from each of the areas to develop and use a community-led outcomes framework to evidence what is happening and starting to change for local people.

Its report this week shares the learning from the first phase of this work from January 2018 to September 2019 – focusing on the set up, engagement and development of shared visions for change within of the three targeted areas.

Speaking at the official launch of Model City London last November, Deputy Mayor of London for Social Integration, Debbie Weekes-Bernard, said: “Model City London is a really good demonstration of how you can use sport to tackle a range of issues.

“But even more important than that, and what is really exciting about Model City London, is that it ‘centres’ communities. Everything you hear are solutions to local problems that communities have developed for themselves.

According to NDTi, the report “includes ‘lightbulb moments’ for developing community coalitions who steer local changes through broadening opportunities for sports and physical activity”.

Read the full report here, and a ‘summary and insights’ document can be read here.