ruralnet|uk projects

Improving Reach

2007 - ongoing

This Capacitybuilders funded project provides new and existing online services to isolated rural voluntary and community groups. Through piloting and evaluation amongst community groups in Teesdale, online services will be tailored to meet the needs of rural groups before being made available to support capacity building across rural England.

Capacitybuilders Roadmap Consultation Blog

2006 - ongoing

Consultation to design and setup a blog for Capacitybuilders to support their consultation on their strategic roadmap - destination 2014 (see www.destination2014.org.uk). RNUK Ltd also trained staff in its maintenance and provided support during the consultation process. The blog was launched in Dec 2006.

ICT and Collaborative Working (ICT Hub & CWU)

2006 - ongoing

The production of two publications for the national ICT Hub and NCVO’s Collaborative Working Unit on ICT and collaborative working in the voluntary and community sector. Their purpose is to increase awareness of the opportunities offered through collaboration and ICT, to inspire with case studies illustrating what other organisations are doing, and increase confidence through sharing these examples and the learning which came from them in the voluntary and community sector.

The publications will link to the online support materials being produced as part of ruralnet|uk’s I-See-T - see www.i-see-t.org.uk

These publications bring together the aims of the ICT Hub and NCVO's Collaborative Working Unit (CWU) to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Voluntary and Community Sector through good use of ICT and collaborative working respectively.

CAF Consultants - Active Brokerage System (CAFnet)

2006 - ongoing

The provision of an online system to support the Charity Aid Foundation’s network of consultants. The system uses the Active Brokerage methods developed under the DirectSupport programme (see http://www.directsupport.org.uk) to enable CAF to advertise consultancy opportunities through an online forum and for available consultants to be selected for each assignment. The online network also enables consultants to submit progress reports and to share information across the consultants’ network.

Rufus Directory database

2005 - ongoing
The Rufus Directory is a one-stop source of information for the rural sector across England. This database is being written to hold this information and will be linked to their website as a searchable resource.

Database for enterprise4inclusion action research programme

2005 - ongoing
A database to facilitate the enterprise4inclusion action research programme, providing support to social enterprises and voluntary organisations which plan to commence or develop enterprise-based activities which benefit socially excluded people in English rural communities.

Distinctly Cumbrian research project

2003
Partners with the Plunkett Foundation in the implementation of the 'Distinctly Cumbrian' research project looking into e-marketing in Cumbria.

Rural Inclusion Programme Exchange (RIPE)

2002 - 04
Training and the provision of extranet services to the project. This initiative links all the Countryside Agency-funded rural inclusion workers based in the English Rural Community Councils.

Faith Social Enterprise Consortium

2002
The Faith Social Enterprise Consortium extranet provided mentor support for faith groups.

DirectSupport

2002 - ongoing

Capacity building support to UK Online Centres across England on behalf of Ufi. DirectSupport provides guidance to centre managers and staff on a wide range of topics including Funding Advice, Charity Law, Business Planning, Employment Issues and Community Engagement. Centres also benefit from a library of ready-made tools, templates, sample policies, guidelines and learner-focused worksheets specifically designed for voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations.

DirectSupport services, funded by Ufi, are available to all members of the UK online network, including centres in public libraries, FE colleges and VCS organisations. Started in 2000, the current contract with Ufi runs until July 2007.
Link: www.directsupport.org.uk