This was a highest level, genuinely globally-focussed tourism project, a collaboration between The Small Business Service, Hadrian’s Wall Partnership and The Rural Design Centre, working with the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise under the single banner of Rural Catalyst. 

Over 200 businesses and community organisations were engaged in the design thinking process to develop ambitions for growth and innovation with key objectives to implement positive change and problem-solving initiatives within our rural communities.

Northumberland County Council, in collaboration with the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, embarked on a mission to ascertain the potential of a Forestry Innovation Centre/Programme based in Northumberland.

Developing a Community Research Network in rural County Durham. This is as part of UK Research and Innovation's new national Community Research Network programme.

This project, funded by Innovate UK, a collaboration between Karbon Homes and Edwards Architecture, aims to use smaller, infill brownfield sites to provide ageing-friendly accommodation that supports older residents physically and emotionally.

The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) at Newcastle University and Rural Design Centre (RDC) are working in partnership to catalyse rural innovation in the North of Tyne area.