What is the Essex Renewal Project
The Essex Renewal Project brought together an independent panel of expert commissioners to examine the long-term -impacts of COVID-19, and to make recommendations on the steps required to improve outcomes and exploit future opportunities.
The project was sponsored by the University of Essex and Essex County Council on behalf of Essex Partners.
The ERP recognised the importance of helping those who lead local communities, and the public service organisations that support them, to understand the long-term impacts of the pandemic across its multiple dimensions. It reflects the importance placed by local partners on supporting communities to tackle key issues in areas where the pandemic could have long-lasting effects, (e.g. on employment, educational achievement, and levels of inequality). But is also recognised the opportunity for renewal – it examined how Essex might adapt and take new opportunities that open-up in the future, for example, around the development of the green economy and steps to tackle the climate crisis
Others will of course be looking at these issues, across the UK and across the globe. What makes this project unique is its focus on the experiences of a specific place – the county of Essex.
Professor Jules Pretty led the Commission as its Chair.
A final report was published in June 2023 with recommendations on how local agencies and communities could manage risks and take advantage of new opportunities.
"I am delighted to be able to share the Essex Renewal Report, which sets out our recommendations to public, private and third sector organisations across Greater Essex that focus on addressing the challenges facing Essex people in light of the pandemic. We believe that to achieve our ambitions for renewal, we need a collaborative effort. Renewal in Essex cannot be achieved by one organisation alone, but by working together to deliver the recommendations in the report, we can build on the great work already happening, maximise our resources and increase the benefits for Essex residents and businesses.”
Professor Jules Pretty
Commission Chair
Essex Renewal Project
