The UK Innovation Districts Group (UK IDG) has today published its latest action paper, highlighting the vital role innovation districts play in delivering key elements of the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
Developed in collaboration with industry leaders, universities, and local and regional government, the report sets out a series of practical recommendations to accelerate the growth of innovation districts across the UK. It recognises their unique role in translating research into commercial opportunities, scaling businesses, and fostering inclusive, sustainable economic development.
Recommendations in the paper are framed around three themes:
- Enabling more investment into innovation districts
- Building more partnerships across the UK
- Strengthening local capacity to support, scale and commercialise innovation
The paper calls for a step-change in partnership building, leadership, and coordination between government, academia, industry, and investors to unlock the full potential of innovation districts as strategic economic infrastructure.
The UK IDG is proud to have partnered with Arup, an Associate Member of the Group, which has generously supported the development of this report.
This action paper is also an invitation for further collaboration. With momentum building and growing policy alignment, now is the time to act. The UK IDG extends its thanks to the many contributors who have already helped shape the recommendations through meetings and roundtables, and welcomes further engagement with them and others who would like to get involved.
