Our Impact
Sustainably Liveable Communities for All
Community Unlimited was established to make a meaningful impact on communities in Europe facing challenging issues. In doing so, we’ve developed a process of continuous monitoring, evaluation, innovation and learning, allowing us to accurately measure our impact and build more liveable communities for all.
Areas of Impact
Community Well-Being
Communities shape the health and well-being of their people. For better or worse, the place where a person grows up, works, and ages impacts their overall health. This is because communities determine who has access to economic opportunity, whether safe and affordable housing is available, and whether the built environment encourages active lifestyles. We work on all of these issues because when more people progress in their well-being and health the community accelerates the progress in these areas.
Social Cohesion
Enabling people of different backgrounds to succeed and ensuring the value of diverse perspectives in the community decision-making process, lies at the core of building liveable communities for all. There is a deep need to help communities succeed in their efforts to strengthen social equity and inclusion to the value for all. Building an inclusive community necessitates significant resources, time, and partnerships. We help local leaders leverage their resources and increase collaboration to move this critical issue forward.
Resilience
Europe is changing. The resilience of all of its regions is dependent upon achieving a balance between the protection against the impact of the increasing number of natural disaster events, conservation of natural resources and the reality of economic challenges in the face of sustaining liveable spaces now and in the future. To achieve this, we must shift from sprawling patterns of development to a more efficient approach of integral planning—one that not only makes less of an impact on the environment, but creates more affordable, inclusive places to live. Further, we need to create economies that are diverse and resilient—providing a setting for existing and new local businesses to thrive within the planetary boundaries. When we make these types of investments in our communities, we see an increase in economic opportunity.
Environment
Europe is home to a diversity of landscapes. Its terrain is a significant asset and why many people have been living here for generations. But it’s facing a real threat. Sprawling development patterns disrupt the natural environment. The result is increased air and water pollution, a loss of natural habitats, higher flood risks, and a reduction in open space. As severe climate events continue to threaten us, it’s imperative that communities approach the future with strategic planning and responsible development patterns.
Attractiveness
Social wellbeing – the degree to which we feel a sense of belonging, or how connected we feel to others and to our community – is vital for health. Connecting with others is a key part of living a healthy life and functioning well in the world. Yet social isolation and loneliness are more and more persistent issues. The design of our homes and neighbourhoods can support (or hinder) us to be ‘out and about’, meeting others and building important local relationships. In addressing the simultaneous challenges of affordability and wellbeing, it is crucial to identify design strategies for multi-family housing that foster positive social connectedness – we need homes and communities that bring people together in positive, meaningful ways.
Responsible Resource Use
Social wellbeing – the degree to which we feel a sense of belonging, or how connected we feel to others and to our community – is vital for health. Connecting with others is a key part of living a healthy life and functioning well in the world. Yet social isolation and loneliness are more and more persistent issues. The design of our homes and neighbourhoods can support (or hinder) us to be ‘out and about’, meeting others and building important local relationships. In addressing the simultaneous challenges of affordability and wellbeing, it is crucial to identify design strategies for multi-family housing that foster positive social connectedness – we need homes and communities that bring people together in positive, meaningful ways.
Leaders
134 leaders trained from 18 communities
PROJECTS
10 assistance projects
€ MILLION
€12 million of funding allocated in project implementation
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