ECOTEC News

ECOTEC wins Open University Business School Award

webmaster@ecotec.com — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:53:00 GMT

The Open University's Centre for Professional Learning and Development Award for the most innovative use of case studies in e-learning was presented to ECOTEC Research and Consulting Limited for its 'Summer Arts College' initiative.

These innovative national programmes, developed by ECOTEC on behalf of the Youth Justice Board, Arts Council England and the Welsh Assembly Government provided young people in the youth justice system with a unique opportunity to experience a wide range of creative arts and to work alongside practitioners in a range of art forms, from photography to dance and creative writing to music.

Practitioners on the projects were filmed explaining their experiences, as well as the challenges and outcomes of the initiative. This then fed into the development of online training resources to guide project managers and practitioners in delivering future Summer Arts Colleges. ECOTEC Director Martin Stephenson said:

"We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to work in partnership with the Youth Justice Board and the Open University in designing these tremendous elearning resources which have facilitated our delivery of quality, national programmes benefiting hundreds of young people".

Evaluation of national money advice programme

webmaster@ecotec.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:04:00 GMT

ECOTEC and the Personal Finance Research Centre (PFRC) at the University of Bristol were commissioned by the Legal Services Commission to evaluate aspects of a national money advice programme.

The Money Advice Outreach Programme, funded by HM Treasury over three years (2005-2008), was all about how best to deliver money advice to financially excluded individuals. The programme ran 22 local pilot projects across the UK, with the aim of reaching areas or groups that face financial exclusion.

The initial commission was to provide a qualitative evaluation of the pilots that focused on the provider perspective.

Our methods included:

- a documentary analysis of the policy and strategic context;
- a review of the pilot documents;
- sampling of 8 pilots for in-depth case studies; and
- a fieldwork phase to conduct depth interviews with project managers, staff and outreach workers.

Again working with the PFRC, we took up a second commission to evaluate the client outcomes from programme. The evaluation aimed to establish clients' motivations for advice-seeking; their views on the effectiveness of referral and the delivery of advice, and the main types of outcomes achieved.

The methodology comprised in-depth qualitative interviews with 41 clients and 8 non-recipients of advice, conducted at a range of different outreach locations and via home interviewing.

For more information read our final reports:

ECOTEC appoint new Chair

webmaster@ecotec.com — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:45:00 GMT

Chris Ralph has been appointed as the next Chair of ECOTEC Research and Consulting Limited and as a member of the ECORYS group’s Board of Management.

The appointment was confirmed at the ECORYS Annual General Meeting on 20 May in Rotterdam and Chris will formally begin his new role on 1 July 2009.

"I am clearly looking forward to the challenge of this exciting and new role” said Chris. “In particular I look forward to working with the excellent talent within the company to secure its continued growth and enhance its already strong reputation as a provider of public policy consulting, programme management and research support. Central to this will be further consolidation of our position in the UK market, developing our work for the European Commission and expanding into new international markets.”

With nine years at ECOTEC behind him, across a variety of positions including his current role as Managing Director of the Research and Economic Development Division, Chris’s wealth of experience make him the right person to lead the company’s continued growth.

Housing division restructured

webmaster@ecotec.com — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:25:00 GMT

ECOTEC Research and Consulting's housing division has been restructured and has recruited new staff. Danny Friedman now heads up the team. James Beale (who has housing strategy, enabling and development experience at various local authorities, Servite Houses and as a freelance consultant), Jeff Bishop (previously at Barratt East London, Fairview, various local authorities and a freelance consultant) and James Donagh (formerly at DTZ, Meridienpure and Amtek) have joined as senior and principal consultants.

New Reaching Communities evaluation report

webmaster@ecotec.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:31:00 GMT

ECOTEC have been commissioned by the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) to evaluate the Reaching Communities Programme in England and Northern Ireland.

We've just published the year two evaluation report and you can download if from the Reaching Communities evaluation website.
- Read evaluation report.
- Visit the Reaching Communities evaluation website.

ECOTEC's evaluation will run for another two years and is helping BIG to look in more detail at how local needs are being identified and met via the programme.

We deliver European Commission programme in Turkey

webmaster@ecotec.com — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:11:00 GMT

The aim of the European Commission’s Information and Communications Support Programme in Turkey is to facilitate Turkey's accession process by providing information to the Turkish people.

ECOTEC is responsible for delivering the programme in Turkey on behalf of our client, the European Commission. The programme aims to improve public understanding of the European Union and explain the accession process in Turkey.

To meet these aims ECOTEC have established a programme management office in Ankara, run the EU Information Centre in Istanbul and set up a second EU information Centre in Ankara.

The EU Information Centres we run represent the public face of the European Commission in Turkey. They offer information on the entire range of EU activities and serve as major centres for information and events aimed at thousands of visitors every year. The centres undertake a wide range of activities including events, workshops, press conferences and exhibitions.

Our programme management office in Ankara provides the strategic oversight of all the activities. This includes the overall co-ordination, technical and financial management of all elements of the programme.

ECOTEC's research, consulting and management experience can help you develop and deliver your programme strategy, maximise impact, ensure spend targets are met and minimise risk. Find out more about our programme management expertise.

How schools can support parents with their children's learning

webmaster@ecotec.com — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:11:00 GMT

ECOTEC have recently completed a large-scale action research project for the Families Analysis Team at the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

The project aimed to identify ways that schools can support parents with their children's learning and development at home, and the associated outcomes.

The project involved an action research methodology; to pair-up local authorities and schools from different local areas within England, with the aim of exchanging good practice for supporting parents; and to measure the outcomes for parents and children through data collection and sets of in-depth qualitative interviews.

Following a snapshot survey and review of the research literature, five good practice schemes and twelve schools participated. The different models included:

- curriculum workshops;
- educational home visits;
- community arts and literacy;
- law and citizenship education;
- Family SEAL; and
- whole school approaches.

Working with our project partners - the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) and JB Associates we expect the final research report to be published by the DCSF in the Summer of 2009.

Look out for more news on this project, including the project website and workshops.

To find out more read the project newsletter (April 2009 edition).

Evaluation of Reaching Communities for Big Lottery Fund

webmaster@ecotec.com — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:27:00 GMT

ECOTEC have been commissioned by the Big Lottery Fund to evaluate the Reaching Communities Programme in England and Northern Ireland.

Our evaluation is over four years, from January 2007 to December 2010. It includes surveys, case studies and self evaluation support to the projects funded by the Reaching Communities Programme.

Nicki Hall, managing the study for ECOTEC, recently presented at the London region Reaching Communities networking event. She ran a session on soft outcomes and how to measure them. The tools used are all available on our Reaching Communities Evaluation website, which we designed specially for the study. Materials on the website are available as a resource tool to everyone involved in Reaching Communities projects.

For more information visit: www.reachingcommunities.org

We evaluate childhood obesity prevention policies

webmaster@ecotec.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:17:00 GMT

Obesity is not a new problem, but it is a growing problem. The number of children affected is rising.

The International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) estimates that worldwide one in ten children is overweight, with a total of 30-45 million classed as obese.

ECOTEC have conducted a research study to evaluate public policy aimed at preventing childhood obesity. The study is supported by the ECORYS Research Programme and adds to our growing body of work on public health.

The study focuses on 'overweight' and 'obesity' as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), looking specifically at children and young people (aged 5-19). It examines interventions to prevent obesity in children, evaluates their impact and identifies good practice.

In the scoping stage we looked at a range of public health policies on obesity at European, national, regional, and community levels. We reviewed the current evidence base on what works and what doesn’t work to prevent obesity in children.

We went on to look at preventative public policy responses in detail using two case study countries – the UK and the Netherlands. The methodology involved desk research and analysis of data quality using a common pro-forma, and interviews with key stakeholders (both policymakers and practitioners).

The findings of the study have been submitted to a peer reviewed journal: Obesity Facts. The deliverables are of interest to a wide range of policy and practice stakeholders across Europe and particularly within the two case study countries.

The study brought together researchers with a wide variety of skills and interests. Led by Nicki Hall and Allice Hocking of ECOTEC in the UK, in partnership with Wija Oortwijn in the Netherlands from the wider ECORYS group and overseen by high level academic and expert in this field, Professor Carolyn Summerbell, University of Durham.

Winners of our 3R's Challenge (reduce, reuse, recyle)

webmaster@ecotec.com — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:53:00 GMT

The first round of the ECOTEC 3R's Challenge (reduce, reuse and recycle) has now ended, with Stanville Primary School emerging as the champions. ECOTEC in partnership with Birmingham city council, offered pupils the chance to design a community-based environmental project.

Stanville school were awarded the top prize of £1,000 and six days of environmental consultation support. The school's winning project included written plans on how they are going to develop a sensory garden featuring composting, water collecting and recycling elements which will feature alongside the school's existing allotment.

John Bell, Chairman of ECOTEC said: “We are both delighted and impressed with the standard of the projects and the enormous interest the schools and children have shown in becoming more environmentally aware."

Sue Middleton, Headteacher, said: "We are very proud of all our pupils and their enthusiasm towards being environmentally friendly." To win this competition shows that pupils, parents, school staff and the wider Stanville community take green issues seriously and are prepared to make a positive contribution.”

ECOTEC International Development win EC project in Lesotho

webmaster@ecotec.com — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:45:00 GMT

The International Development Division in London has won a 3-year €3m EC funded project in Lesotho. IDD will manage the project, which will provide a team of 4 long-term associates who will support the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) to more effectively plan and manage its development budget.

The project will help the Ministry to achieve and sustain a strengthened capacity for macroeconomic and financial management, sectoral planning, and economic and socio-economic development planning. The project will provide support in a number of areas, including:

· Supporting institutional reform in the MFDP and the implementation of the Ministry's Strategic Development Plan;

· Strengthening Macroeconomic policy analysis and formulation capacity in the MFDP;

· Strengthening the overall planning framework and providing training to Planning and Budget officials in MFDP and Line Ministries;

· Support to the Bureau of Statistics to improve the overall coordination and production of statistics and the necessary on-the-job technical training for staff;

· Support more effective population modelling and manpower planning by linking projections of labour demand and supply to educational planning;

· Support to the National Authorising Officer, who manages and coordinates EC support programmes to Lesotho.

The project will run from October 2008 until September 2011 and will provide a good base from which we intend to further our expansion into Southern Africa. We recently submitted a proposal for a 4-year €5m contract to provide support to the Southern African Development Community.
For more information please contact Darren Jackson.

ECOTEC Birmingham office to relocate in October

webmaster@ecotec.com — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:49:00 GMT

Please note that from 3rd October our new address and contact details will be changing to:

ECOTEC Research & Consulting Limited
Vincent House
Quay Place
92-93 Edward Street
Birmingham
B1 2RA

Tel: 0845 3137455
Fax: 08453137454

For more information please contact David Supple.

National Community Network Annual Conference 2008

webmaster@ecotec.com — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:13:00 GMT

Meet ECOTEC experts at the National Community Safety Network Annual Conference

ECOTEC Community safety experts Shona Macleod and Alex Culshaw will be attending the 13th NCSN Annual Conference at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool on 4-5 June 2008.

The event is the largest of its kind in the community safety calendar. Its objective for the 2008 two-day event is to 'share good practice to make a difference'. Shona and Alex will be on hand to discuss our community safety work. Find them at Stand 11 in the exhibition hall.

Email Shona or Alex for more details. Please find related work from ECOTEC by clicking here.

ECOTEC to sponsor conference

webmaster@ecotec.com — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:14:00 GMT

ECOTEC are going to sponsor the Regeneration & Renewal National conference in May 22-23rd. ECOTEC will be on stand number 16, with Unus Goga (Deputy Director, TAD) and Korina Cox (Associate Director, RED) holding a session on the 23rd; 'Investigating The Opportunities Offered by The New European Funding Regime'. Attendees will discover who is eligible for the 2007-13 European funds, and how best to access them and hear how the RDAs will handle their new-found responsibility for ERDF funds.

For details on the Regeneration & Renewal conference please click here.

If you are are attending the conference, then please visit the ECOTEC stand (no.16) and mention this article on ecotec.com to recieve a free copy of our new flagship regeneration and economic development journal 'RedReview'.

ECOTEC was well represented European Commission's event

webmaster@ecotec.com — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:26:00 GMT

ECOTEC was well represented at the European Commission's event on "Harnessing an Entrepreneurial Spirit for Inclusive Local Employment Development" in Brussels on 25 April. Peter Lloyd (Technical Direcotr, EPD) gave an expert speech, while James Rampton (Associate Director, EPD) and Emmy Nelissen (Research Manager, EPD) shared ECOTEC's research output from an exhibition stand at the entrance to the plenary room. There was huge interest in ECOTEC's work from EU officials and delegates from across Europe - helping us to maintain ECOTEC's prominent position in this field.

ECOTEC RedReview is out now!

webmaster@ecotec.com — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:06:00 GMT

The ECOTEC RedReview is now available. RedReview is driven by the need to illustrate the type of robust analysis needed in an economic environment where there is ongoing actual and potential change. The recent HM Treasury Review of sub-national economic development and regeneration, for example, has implications in respect of the continued support that the Government gives to the delivery of sub national economic development and regeneration.

It views this as a key mechanism for achieving sustainable economic growth and a narrowing of regional and local disparities and thus reaffirms the key position that economic development and regeneration hold in public policy. It raises the profile of economic development and neighbourhood renewal in local authority areas in England as well as the importance of subregions, amalgamations of local authorities and city regions. The review thus suggests the need for evidence based research and visioning support.

ECOTEC is pleased to present this first RedReview with its authoritative articles:

'Developing a Model of Local Economic Performance in the UK' - Chris Whitfield, Stephen Bussell and Mattias Wihlborg

'Near and Far Horizons: towards an understanding of the geography of university knowledge transfer activity in the UK' - Adrian Healy

'Conceptualising and Measuring the Competitiveness of Regions: A Review of the European Competitiveness Index' - Rob Huggins and Will Davies

'Global Circuits of Labour and High Technology Local Economies' - Rupert Waters

For your free copy of the RedReview please contact Matt Crossley

ECOTEC sponsors conference

webmaster@ecotec.com — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:03:00 GMT

ECOTEC Sponsored Newstart’s ‘Lessons in Succession’ conference in Manchester on 18th March.

The one day conference explored potential paths to sustainability and what people needed to consider when developing a succession strategy. It also offered interactive learning sessions where people had the chance to discover examples of best practice as well as technical support on how a successful exit strategy can be implemented.

Unus Goga represented ECOTEC as a guest speaker. He spoke about experiences and lessons learnt from ECOTECs EQUAL division, particularly highlighting our role in supporting EQUAL DPs to prepare mainstreaming and dissemination activities to effectively promote good practice, positive outcomes and lessons learnt.

ECOTEC launches Spanish Work-life balance initiative

webmaster@ecotec.com — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:51:00 GMT

Sonia Vega Vega (Senior Research Consultant) and Myriam Perez Andrada (Research Manager), in the ECOTEC Madrid office, launched their ‘Good Practice guide for work-life balance ' in avalcarnero, a municipality to the South West of Madrid.

Myriam presented the business benefits of applying gender equality principles in SMEs. Despite the perceived barriers, the event was successful and many members of the local business community actively contributed.At the end of April, ECOTEC will organise a work-life balance workshop, which will again offer a good chance travel further on the gender equality pathway.

For more information contact Sonia Vega Vega or Myriam Perez Andrada.

The 3 R's Challenge: reduce, reuse, recycle

webmaster@ecotec.com — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:44:00 GMT

The 3 R's Challenge: reduce, reuse, recycle is a new competition for Birmingham schools, designed and funded by ECOTEC, and supported by Birmingham City council.

The 3 R's Challenge is designed to encourage pupils to think creatively about environmental issues and how they affect their school and community. It's open to the 560 schools and educational institutions in the Birmingham City Council area. Schools can submit project ideas on the theme, relating it to any curriculum area. Project ideas can be submitted on any media.

The competition is organised according to age groups (early years/infants, juniors, secondary). There will be a winner and runners-up in each category, receiving £500 and £100 respectively. One overall winner will receive a £1000 prize and the offer of six days consultancy time from us - to help make the project happen or to enhance the curriculum in another way.

Please support the Challenge by making your local school aware of it. You can get more information and a brochure from Matt Crossley, Marketing Assistant, or visit http://www.ecotec.com/rrr

International Development Division win major Tajikistan contract

webmaster@ecotec.com — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:31:00 GMT

The International Development Division (IDD) in London together with MSB (Macro and Sector Policy Division) in Rotterdam have won a €2.7m project in Tajikistan, funded by the EC, to support the introduction of a Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

The project will work with the Ministries of Finance, Health, Education and Social Protection to support three key areas:

• Strengthening the budget process, policy formulation, programme costing and budget planning;
• Development of an automated budget submission process; and
• Training and capacity building.

The aim of this will be to focus policies and expenditure programmes in these areas towards poverty reduction and to link these with the Poverty Reduction Strate.

Five facts about Tajikistan:

• Tajikistan has a population of 7,320,716 (July 2006 est.)
• The Republic of Tajikistan a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and People's Republic of China to the east.
• It is covered by mountains of the Pamir range, and more than fifty percent of the country is over 3,000 meters (approx. 10,000 ft) above sea level.
• Tajiks who speak the Tajik language are the main ethnic group, although there is a sizable minority of Uzbeks and a small population of Russians.
• In terms of economy the primary sources of income in Tajikistan are aluminum production, cotton growing and remittances from migrant workers

For further details please contact either Julian Toogood in IDD or Christian Hiddink in MSB.