People Powered Places Learning and Evaluation
People Powered Places is committed to continuous learning and improvement – and that means working with the people who know their communities best. This section is where we’ll share opportunities to contribute to different learning and evaluation activities we have available throughout the cycle.
Your experiences and ideas are vital in helping us understand what’s working, what could be improved, and how we can do better.
By working together in an open and reflective way, we can make People Powered Places stronger, more inclusive, and impactful for everyone in Newham.
Phases
People Powered Progress - Join a Workshop
People Powered Progress: Exploring the Impact of People Powered Places Projects
Residents, Project Leads and Working Group members in Stratford, West Ham & Olympic Park, Beckton & Royal Docks and Custom House & Canning Town are invited to join inspiring workshops designed to reflect on community led change, build stronger local connections, and explore the impact of Newham’s participatory budgeting journey. This will help us to understand the impact of People Powered Places to shape the 2025/27 cycle and shape the creation of an Alumni Network.
These workshops are a continuation of People Powered Places – the London Borough of Newham’s flagship participatory democracy programme. As one of the largest participatory budgeting initiatives in the UK, People Powered Places has funded over 300 projects, delivering real transformation across the borough.
UCL’s Co-Design Lab is helping us with this evaluation work through funding from its Grand Challenges along with their students as facilitators and using fun and creative methods in the workshops.
The Co-Design Lab uses participatory and human-centered approaches that brings together researchers, policymakers, communities, and designers to collaboratively co-create more inclusive, responsive, and future-oriented policies.
These neighbourhoods have been chosen to link in with UCL East and the Institute of Global Prosperity.
Who should attend?
We are looking for people who live work or study Stratford, West Ham & Olympic Park, Beckton & Royal Docks and Custom House & Canning Town who have different levels of experience of People Powered Places and funding projects. You may have been heavily involved in the programme, or not heard of it at all - we would like to hear from you.
We are also looking for Working Group members and Project Leads who were part of the 2023/25 cohort to share their experiences and insights gained from the programme.
Workshop Dates
- Workshops for Residents
Designed for residents with some involvement or awareness of local projects that were supported by People Powered Places. This session will reflect on neighbourhood connections and how community-led initiatives are creating positive change.
Wednesday 14 May, 5pm-8pm – Workshop for Residents, Stratford, West Ham & Olympic Park
Tuesday 17 June, 5pm-8pm - Workshop for Residents, Custom House & Canning Town
Wednesday 18 June, 5pm - 8pm - Workshop for Residents, Beckton & Royal Docks
- Workshops for Project Leads and Working Group members from 2023/25 cohort
Bringing together working group members and successfully funded project leads to share insights, reflect on the participatory process, and further understand the impact generated through working on their project.
Wednesday 21 May, 5pm – 8pm – Workshop for Working Groups and Project Leads, Stratford, West Ham & Olympic Park
Tuesday 24 June, 5pm – 8pm – Workshop for Working Groups and Project Leads, Custom House & Canning Town
Wednesday 25 June, 5pm – 8pm – Workshop for Working Groups and Project Leads, Beckton & Royal Docks
Why Attend?
The sessions will explore:
- What connects us to our neighbourhoods
- How building relationships and collaboration have helped bring ideas to life as part of the programme
- The role of participatory budgeting in driving change in the local area
- What’s next for community-led initiatives in Newham
- You will compensated for your time with a £50 voucher
- Food will be provided at the workshops
About People Powered Places
People Powered Places launched in April 2023 with £1.6 million in funding available for resident-led and Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector projects. Since then:
- Over 10,000 residents took part in borough-wide voting
- 366 applications were submitted
- 120 projects received funding
- Events such as “Our Priorities”, “Our Solutions” and “Our Projects” brought together thousands of residents to shape the programme
Spaces are limited – register your interest to be part of this meaningful reflection and celebration of local impact.