Presentation by Oliver Nicholls on how the West Midlands Regional Observatory can help the third sector as a source of evidence for funding applications. This presentation was given at 'Better evidence... better funding bids', an event held in Birmingham (UK), 19th March 2010, jointly organised by the West Midlands Regional Observatory and Regional Action West Midlands.

1. The West Midlands Regional Observatory
How can we help you?
“Better Evidence… Better Funding”
19th March 2010
West Midlands Regional Observatory 2010

2. Content
 The Observatory in a nutshell
 Our research
 Our network
 Accessing our info
West Midlands Regional Observatory 2009

3. The Observatory in a nutshell
 Historically, the region has not used its
intelligence resources fully
 The Observatory was set up in 2002 to improve
the quality of strategy formulation and policy
making in the West Midlands
 One of nine regional observatories – all very
different!
 Government wants to encourage evidence-
based policy & decision making
 “Better evidence… Better policy… Better lives”
West Midlands Regional Observatory 2010

4. Our research: Skills
Regional Skills Assessment 2009
with sub regional profiles for:
• Birmingham & Solihull
• Black Country
• Coventry & Warks
• Herefordshire & Worcs
• Shrops and Telford & Wrekin
• Staffs and Stoke
and LA overview poster
more at http://bit.ly/5htbc3
West Midlands Regional Observatory 2010

5. Proportion of 16-18 year olds not in employment, education
or training (NEETs), 2008
West Midlands 7%
Shropshire
Dudley
Worcestershire
Staffordshire 5%
Warwickshire
Herefordshire
Solihull
Coventry
Birmingham
Wolverhampton
Walsall
Telford & Wrekin
Sandwell
Stoke on Trent 12%
0% 5% 10% 15%
Proportion of 16-18 year olds
Source: Connexions/LSC

6. 36. Proportion of the working age population aged 19+ with
no qualifications in 2008
West Midlands 14%
Warwickshire
Herefordshire
Staffordshire
Worcestershire
Solihull
Telford and Wrekin
Shropshire
Coventry
Dudley 14%
Walsall 19%
Birmingham
Sandwell 21%
Stoke-on-Trent
Wolverhampton 28%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
Proportion of the working age population aged 19+ with no qualifications
Source: APS /LFS 2008

7. Our research: Economic Inclusion
Analysis of worklessness rates
by local authority area
Latest employment and
unemployment data analysed
and mapped by local authority
Research on unemployment by
key group and local authority
• BME
• Young People
• Mental Health
More at http://bit.ly/117Kyk
West Midlands Regional Observatory 2010

8. Interactive maps
West Midlands Regional Observatory 2010

9. Our research: State of the Region
A series of dialogues between
researchers and policy makers
Currently on:
• Sustainable Communities
• Economic Recovery
• Image & Identity
• Equality & Diversity
A forum for policy makers to
work closely with the region’s
research community
More at http://bit.ly/wxQBc
West Midlands Regional Observatory 2010

10. Our network
Our work is informed by a
network of 600+ researchers
and policy makers
Links to sub-regional
Observatories and some local
authorities
Four groups:
• Economy & Labour Force
• Population & Society
• Environment
• Geographical Information
West Midlands Regional Observatory 2010

11. To keep up with news: wmro.org
West Midlands Regional Observatory 2010

12. Resource catalogue
The Observatory’s Resource catalogue, at
www.wmro.org, gives you access to over 4,000
regional reports, datasets and research documents
West Midlands Regional Observatory 2010

13. Enquiries service
?
If you have a question about regional data or
research, you can ask us via our online enquiry
service at www.wmro.org
West Midlands Regional Observatory 2010

14. Contact
Oliver Nicholls
t: 0121 202 3244
e: oliver.nicholls@wmro.org
website: wmro.org
blog: http://wmro.wordpress.com
twitter: @thewmro
Level 3
Millennium Point
Curzon Street
Birmingham B4 7XG
West Midlands Regional Observatory 2009