Institute for Social Justice and York Business School researchers hosted community members and leads from Tadcaster and Malton to playfully question the potential of partnerships in boosting circular economy initiatives in York and North Yorkshire. 

The report, Circular Economy in York and North Yorkshire: Place, Partnership, and Play (Pugh, Powell, and Ratcliffe, 2026), captures an early exploration of how crosstown networks can go beyond neat ‘model making’, to opening the conversation to meaningful, sometimes messier, collaborative action rooted in place.  

Written by Dr Vicki Pugh, Dr Owen Powell and Dr Tom Ratcliffe.

 

York and North Yorkshire have set ambitious targets, net zero by 2034 and carbon negative by 2040. Achieving these goals will require more than policy – it demands collaboration, creativity, and community-led action. This is where the concept of a circular economy comes in: a way of working that minimises waste, maximises resources, and fosters resilience across our towns and cities. 

Why partnerships?  

We are not seeking a perfect model. Instead, we are embracing the messiness, the playfulness, and the iterative nature of co-production.” 

Throughout early research activity in Tadcaster and Malton, it was evident that while “successful models” from other towns are helpful, they often fail to translate to the unique socio-political landscape of a specific place, and large networks do not always draw out the vital experiential knowledge required to make change happen in a local context. 

Seeking to move away from a transactional exchange of tidy case studies, the research team sought to build relational partnerships instead. There was a growing call for crosstown partnerships that are transformational rather than transactional, long-term and personal rather than short-term and formal, and iterative rather than final.  

The workshop provided a dedicated space to explore the simple but powerful question of what a meaningful partnership looks like in practice. By embracing playfulness and co-production, the team consciously moved away from seeking a perfect model and instead leaned into the productive “messiness” of collaboration.  

This approach opened the floor to knowledge rooted in everyday experiences. The researchers wanted to tap into the real-world wisdom that comes from everyday life in local communities. Workshop participants have seen many projects come and go over the years, some that worked and many that didn’t. They focused on the stories that usually don’t make it into neat, official reports but reveal the truth about how a town’s power and structure work.

To help uncover these stories, the report shares creative tools and fun ways to get people talking.  

Exploring past, present and future through play 

“Play, albeit structured and purposeful, is a powerful mediator and moderator for this kind of productive, pragmatic relationship building.” 

The workshop embraced playful, participatory methods to unlock creativity and build trust. Activities included imagining an entirely new North Yorkshire town – complete with renewable energy, community hubs, and inclusive governance – and reflecting on past, present, and future partnerships. This approach revealed rich insights into what drives collaboration, from shared values and empowerment to practical considerations like resource management and inclusivity. 

Key insights from the workshop 

“Knowledge can be circular too; it yearns to flow locally, intergenerationally, across communities, and globally.” 

• Lead with hope, not fear: In the past, partnerships were often reactions to crises like COVID-19 or flooding. The future belongs to partnerships driven by empowerment and inspiration. 

• Inclusivity: The long-term success of any initiative depends on actively engaging young people and marginalised groups to ensure diverse perspectives drive the project. 

• Balance leadership with accessibility: Strong leadership is essential to maintain project momentum. It must be supported by built-in channels for reflection. This allows leaders to act decisively without marginalising others or creating exclusive power structures. 

• Community spaces are vital: Physical hubs are where ideas turn into action. 

• Knowledge should be circular: Solutions are best when they are shared between towns, flexible, and based on real-life experience. This builds self-sustaining initiatives and effective resource management.

What’s Next? 

This is just the beginning. The report is an invitation to continue the conversation, deepen relationships, and co-create the next phase of this work. We are not seeking a perfect model; instead, we embrace the messiness, playfulness, and iterative nature of co-production. Future steps will involve shaping partnerships that are grounded in place, responsive to context, and committed to social and ecological justice. 

If you’re curious about how circular economy principles can transform communities – and how partnerships can make it happen – read the full report on the ISJ Main Webpage and join us in shaping a fairer, more sustainable future for York and North Yorkshire. 

“The next steps should remain open, responsive, and grounded in place.”