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About NICRE

About NICRE

The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) exists to foster rural enterprise. It aims to unlock the potential in the UK’s rural economies.

What does NICRE do?

We focus on three interconnecting activities. 

  1. We fill gaps in our current knowledge of rural enterprise and innovation. We achieve this by undertaking and commissioning new research.
  2. We develop practical solutions with businesses, rural communities and economic development agencies. They show new approaches to rural innovation that we can scale up to solve problems and realise new opportunities.
  3. We provide evidence to influence better policy and support for rural businesses. 

Enabling rural enterprise and innovation

More than just research, NICRE will aim to make a practical difference. 

It will achieve this by: 

  • helping to overturn barriers to rural productivity and seize opportunities
  • supporting and championing innovation and enterprise in rural areas 
  • tackling society’s grand challenges and fostering resilient and sustainable rural economies
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Combining expertise and achieving more, together

NICRE is a hub of research excellence, outreach and impact. It brings together the strengths of its founding Higher Education partners.

Centre for Rural Economy (CRE) and Newcastle University Business School - Newcastle University

CRE builds on more than three decades of dedicated research into rural businesses and economies. Its evidence and expertise influences policy and practice for rural businesses throughout the UK.

CRE brings together staff from Newcastle University's School of Natural Environmental Sciences and Newcastle University Business School.

Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) - University of Gloucestershire and Royal Agriculture University

CCRI is a leading social science research institute into rural community and business needs. It brings to NICRE its knowledge and expertise on land-based and environmental innovation and development.

Enterprise Research Centre (ERC) - Warwick University

ERC is the UK’s leading centre of excellence for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It brings to NICRE its specialist research and knowledge into their growth, innovation and productivity.

What are we aiming to change?

Practices

We want to increase impact on business practices to build improved research and innovation capabilities, new business models and stronger networks.

People

We aim to increase capacity of rural business owners, senior managers and advisers. This will extend to a wide network of enterprise and rural development practitioners and researchers.

Policies

We focus on stronger evidence-based policy design, delivery and support for rural enterprises. This will be at both national and local levels.

Places

We will equip rural communities to tackle current and future challenges, so that they can contribute to growth and prosperity.

Research England  funds NICRE and its founding University partners.

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