The Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP) is a UKRI-funded project operating in Yorkshire and The Humber, covering the 4 Mayoral Combined Authority areas of York and North Yorkshire, Hull and East Riding, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. 

The partnership brings together universities/academic research, local government and community organisations on place-based initiatives themed around: 

• Inclusive economy  
• Creative industries  
• Climate 

The diverse stakeholders working across these will also have an input into creating a shared facility to access and analyse local and regional data sources. Community engagement and an inclusive voice based on lived experience cuts across all these themes.  

The project explores new ideas and practices through pilot initiatives, whilst also platforming innovative working within the region. The aim is to co-create collaborative spaces for replication and scaling up. 

YPIP is part of the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) programme. 

The fund’s primary objectives and the initiatives it supports

A key element of YPIP is the £800k Communities Innovating Yorkshire Fund (CIYF). The aim of the CIYF is to support projects, studies, activities, and collaborations that: 

• advance YPIP’s commitment to innovative approaches to inclusive growth, sustainable living, and data informatics 
• include partnerships with – or significant input from – members of Yorkshire communities, and/or that deepen the capacity for the involvement of members of Yorkshire communities in policy innovation.  

 The CIYF particularly encourages: 

• projects that focus on socially marginalized residents of the region– racial/ethnic or national minorities, women, residents of spatially isolated communities, those living in poverty and/or without adequate access to educational or vocational opportunities 
• demonstrator projects, research addressing evidence gaps, the piloting or study of new approaches (or of existing approaches in new places). 

Full CIYF application guidance can be found below, along with example due diligence templates for organisations selected for funding. The level of due diligence required will depend on the funding amount and the nature of the organisation, and will form part of the onboarding process