Place-based working to meet national well-being and sustainability goals

Researchers at the University of Oxford, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) are studying how place-based working can better achieve Wales’ well-being and sustainability goals. How does place-based working actually support transformative socio-ecological change in practice? What’s the role of policy and the public sector in supporting cross-sectoral, multi-level partnerships?

About the project

Place-based approaches are increasingly promoted for environmental governance – especially for supporting more integrated, just, and effective ways of responding to biodiversity loss, climate change, and social inequalities. In Wales, place-based working is framed to support Wales’ well-being economy and sustainability goals, as well as environmental and biodiversity objectives. But translating these ambitions into real-world action remains challenging. It’s also uncertain what mix of policy, funding mechanisms, and cross-sectoral partnerships will deliver change in different places.

Through The Agile Initiative, alongside colleagues at Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales and SRUC, we’re launching a short survey exploring how place-based working is experienced and enacted in practice in Wales – including through Area Statements, Public Service Boards, and local partnerships.

We’re particularly interested in:
📍 Where diverse types of place-based working are already happening
📍 What supports effective place-based working in practice, including more informal and relationship-based types of collaboration
📍 Where tensions, gaps, or challenges arise within exiting governance systems
📍 How individual and organisational practices shape outcomes, including those that happen beyond formal policy instruments

If you work in or alongside environmental policy, governance, or place-based initiatives in Wales (or within a relevant area in England, Scotland, or Northern Ireland), your perspective would be incredibly valuable – whether you’re closely involved in place-based initiatives or encounter them occasionally in your work.

Importantly, you don’t need to be an expert in ‘place-based approaches’ to take part. We are using this term broadly to include different forms of decision-making and delivery that are rooted in the characteristics, relationships, and priorities of particular places to deliver on integrated decision-making for people, nature, and climate.

What is placed-based working?

Place-based working means planning, decision-making, and local action that are rooted in the specific needs and characteristics of a place. These approaches emphasize collaboration between local communities, public bodies, and other stakeholders to create solutions tailored to local areas (rather than one-size-fits-all strategies). In Wales, examples include Area Statements, Public Service Boards (PSBs), and various local partnerships, which aim to align local priorities with national well-being goals.

Why your insights matter

Your perspective is essential to understanding how these initiatives work in practice. Whether you have been deeply involved or only know a little about these efforts, your experiences can highlight what works well, where challenges exist, and how national objectives translate into local action. Your input will contribute to evidence that informs future guidance, policy options, and improvements to place-based environmental governance in Wales.

About the survey

The survey should take about 10–15 minutes to complete (depending on how much detail you provide). All responses will be kept confidential and will be anonymised in analysis. Data will be stored securely and used only for research purposes. Findings may be published, but no personally identifiable information will appear in any reports. Participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time before your responses are anonymised (contact us using the details provided). There are no known risks to taking part.

Contact

If you have any questions about the research or wish to withdraw your data, please contact Dr Caitlin Hafferty.

The survey

Complete the survey here.