Components of the Tool
The Inclusive Growth Decision-making Tool has four stages:
Stages
To determine whether the project
targets the identified strategic priorities for WMCA and the region
To assess the extent to which the project contributes to inclusive growth in the WM, across each of the priorities it targets.
To assess the direct impact of the project on specific inclusive growth target groups, and promote wider benefits through procurement.
The capacity of a project to promote Good Work should be assessed even for projects that do not directly target the IG target groups or the WM priorities set out in Stages 1 and 2.
Across each stage, the Inclusive Growth Decision-making tool poses a set of questions and provides guidance and evaluation criteria to help assess whether a project will directly or indirectly contribute to inclusive growth in the West Midlands and improve the economic well-being of the target groups. A summary diagram illustrating this process is available on the next page.
The bullet points on the right summarise some important project information that WMCA could gather to help implement the Tool. Although the main purpose of this tool is to provide qualitative assessment of a project in order to promote Inclusive Growth objectives, there might be some quantitative outcomes that partners can start testing and piloting going forward, if the necessary information is available. This toolkit is a simple gateway to doing this.
What you need to complete an assessment
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Details on how the project will operate.
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Details on the population that will be affected.
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Information on the data that will be collected as part of the project.
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Information on the organisations or businesses involved and whether they follow principles of ‘Good Work’.
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Information on the procurement process and/or likely contractors or providers.
This toolkit is part of a suite of resources being developed for the region, which includes underlying metrics, analytical tools and citizen insights. These have been produced following a period of engagement with our partners across the region (including WMCA member authorities, public services, business, citizens and civil society) and respond to a call for an approach to inclusive growth that is practical and applied - giving local places, partners and project teams the means to shape what the concept means to them. Building bottom-up practice rather than top-down theory. An approach that has credibility with communities and civil society - first asking them what inclusive growth should look like, and supporting public sector practice to evolve in line with these insights.
An approach that reflects the true nature of the Combined Authority and its work - supporting collaborative practice and providing the resources and insights to build strong local partnerships that can add value within the region.
The toolkit is for policymakers, practitioners and analysts to use within real-world scenarios. It will help users to make the concept of inclusive growth specific and real – and will make considerations about social purpose and social impact more explicit within decision making processes. It will not change the game overnight, but offers us an opportunity to be deliberate about the things we choose to care about, and the extent to which our social and economic aspirations our places – and the region as a whole – are made real.