Regional Community Empowerment Network Workers' Network
Since 2002 VONNE has supported the regional Community Empowerment Network (CEN) Coordinators' Network which enables the sharing of good practice and information exchange within the sector. Community Empowerment Networks were developed after 2001 in the 88 Neighbourhood Renewal Areas established by Government to ensure effective community and voluntary sector engagement in Local Strategic Partnerships. To find out more about those in the North East see the Community Empowerment Networks page.
The Network meets bi-monthly as well as holding an annual regional conference for Network representatives Recent activities have included contributing to the North East Empowerment Partnership Action Planning process, providing Empowerment Network representation on the Regional Infrastructure Consortium and participating in a consultation exercise on the nature of Community Development support services in the North East. Future activities will include working on brokering links between the regional Local Strategic Partnership and Local Area Agreement forums, and developing a celebration event for March 2008 to highlight the achievements of the Networks so far.
In the spring membership of the Network was extended to include participation from network coordinators from areas not supported by Neighbourhood Renewal Funding and Rural Community Councils. If you are involved in this kind of activity and would like to request to join the group please contact Rhiannon Bearne, Policy and Development Officer, rhiannon.bearne@vonne.org.uk.
