Empowering Local Economies: Community Consultancy for Sustainable Cities and Communities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56433/4pc10w31Keywords:
Community Consultancy, Local Economic Development, Sustainable Cities, Anchor Institutions, Community Wealth Building, Place-Based Innovation, University-SME Collaboration, Inclusive Growth, Engaged ScholarshipAbstract
This paper explores the role of university-led community consultancy in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and advancing inclusive, place-based economic development. Drawing on qualitative data from a Community Consultancy project in Scotland, the study examines how short-term, research-informed consultancy—delivered free at the point of use—enhances SME strategic capacity, promotes local resilience, and aligns with Community Wealth Building and Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Findings demonstrate that practitioner-scholars acting as mentors and knowledge brokers can foster accessible, impactful engagement, breaking down perceived barriers between academia and enterprise. The paper contributes to the literature on university-SME collaboration, anchor institutions, and knowledge exchange, offering a replicable model for engaged scholarship that drives local innovation and inclusive growth.
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