15 years of impact: an evaluation of the Eden Project communities programme
We commissioned the Belong Network to evaluate the impact of The Big Lunch and our communities programme between 2010 and 2024 (the duration of our funding from the National Lottery Community Fund).
Here some of the key findings, statistics and quotes from the report.
Since our programme started in 2010…
0.00 m
Big Lunch events
£ 0 m
on average raised for local causes each year
0 +
participants in our Community Action programme
Building lasting community resilience
The report reveals the importance of our three main initiatives – The Big Lunch, the Community Action programme, and our Network. It found that together these:
- fostered community cohesion, built confidence and skills, and created lasting impact
- have evolved, adapted and developed to reach new audiences and “achieve genuine diversity and geographic reach”
- have helped build “lasting community resilience and contributing to democratic renewal”
The complementary nature of the three initiatives became evident as participants often moved between programmes, with Community Camp attendees becoming The Big Lunch organisers and Network members, creating sustained community impact.
Belong report
The Big Lunch
-
- Participants consistently feel a stronger sense of community, a sense of belonging and pride in place
- Reduces loneliness and improves health and wellbeing by bringing people together and forming networks where neighbours can support those that are more vulnerable.
- An adaptable and flexible initiative that reaches diverse and disadvantaged communities.
Community Action programme
- The impact of attending a Community Camp or online course led to an increase in attendees’ confidence in funding and finance, working collaboratively and engaging communities.
- Attendees have been motivated to contribute to their communities, develop existing projects or establish new projects. In addition, these camps and courses support personal and professional development, as participants have transitioned into formal (paid) roles within their community.
- These camps and courses have led to “better resourced local communities, with improved social infrastructure and support mechanisms, impacting on health and wellbeing”.
The Network
-
- Members of this Network have developed their confidence and accessed new opportunities.
- The Network reaches diverse communities and has enabled the development of important bridging connections with other individuals and groups.
Return on Investment (ROI)
£ 0.00 bn
saving to services from reduced loneliness
0 p
Cost of one individual reporting they’re more active in their community
£ 0
generated in fundraising, for every £1 invested
Belong’s Evaluation Report highlights that this ROI analysis demonstrates that investment in early intervention and preventative initiatives such as The Big Lunch, Community Camp and Network will generate social value returns and more than offset annual costs.
This ability to bring together greater empowerment of individuals within communities and environmental gains is one of the unique contributions that the Eden Project can continue to make to the landscape of initiatives that improve community resilience
Belong report
The power of bringing people together
This webinar explored the findings from the Belong Network’s evaluation of The Big Lunch and our wider communities programme. We reflected on 15 years of National Lottery Funding (2010-24) and discussed what works – highlighting the adaptability, flexibility and far-reaching benefits of The Big Lunch in helping communities thrive socially, economically and environmentally.
Hear from Professor Dominic Abrams, who wrote the foreword to the report, and Lindsey Brummitt, our Programme Director, alongside community speakers sharing real-world examples of impact.
Download the full report
More research
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More than two thirds of adults in the UK experience loneliness
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The cost of disconnected communities
Research shows that social isolation and disconnected communities puts demands on health services, policing, social care and the environment.
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