Our policy positions set out what we think on the key topics central to our work. They are informed by our values, our research, and almost forty years of working with communities.

Our research and reports aim to share the learning from our programmes and the work we do in local communities, providing insight for practitioners and policy-makers who share our goals.

Many of our reports come directly from the learning generated by our projects and programmes. We also commission and carry out original research to add to the evidence base both for our work and to share with policy makers in a position to change things for the better.

We use policy and research to support our three core aims:

  • Improving people’s prospects
  • Creating better places
  • Promoting greener living and working

You can view our latest reports and policy positions below or view all of our reports by topic.


  • A young girl in a wheelchair having fun in green space with two adult women

    From the Ground Up

    Empowering communities through environmental action Taking a community centred approach to policy and practice will be vital to ‘levelling’ up, addressing health inequalities and supporting a just transition to a low carbon economy. Groundwork is expert in achieving community development through environmental projects and, through our forty years of experience, we have identified key ingredients…

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  • Image showing young person installing insulation

    Growing Green Careers Report

    How people and places can thrive in a green economy Green jobs are any jobs that have a direct, positive impact on nature recovery or tackling climate change and that will form part of the low carbon economy of the future. Green jobs have the potential to provide long-term employment to thousands of people in…

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  • Youth in a Changing Climate

    What do young people really think about climate change? This report is based on focus groups and a survey of 500 young people. It explores young people’s views on climate change, what they want to see from the transition to a low carbon society, and how they would like to be involved. Published November 2021…

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View by topic

Green jobs

To create a more sustainable future and improve prospects for everyone, all jobs should be green jobs.

Climate and nature

Community action on tackling the climate and nature emergencies.

Health and wellbeing

Supporting good health in our communities.

Communities in control

How and why we should be putting communities in control of their future.

Supporting young people

Reports on youth participation, youth work and young people’s education and employment.


Our policy positions

Supporting Young People

Our position on youth participation, youth work and young people’s education and employment

Climate and Nature

Our position on the need to tackle the climate and nature emergencies

Health & Wellbeing

Our position on supporting good health in our communities

Communities in Control

Our policy position on putting communities in control of their future