As a result, the Trustees have agreed a new strategic plan from January 2011, which they believe will best enable the Trust to discharge its mission over the next five years.  In doing so the Trust has also taken account of its current and likely future financial position in the light of the economic turbulence of the last three years.

To meet the coming challenges, the Trustees have directed there should be a change in the way the Trust works and have therefore decided that, from the end of this year, all our current programmes for Democracy, Civil Society and Rural development should be brought to an end.  We will also close our London office.

In the New Year we will set out our strategic plan over the period 2011-2015.

The Trust has a significant body of work and achievement from the programmes it has run over the last few years and this will very much inform the Trust’s future work as it moves to a more project-based operating structure. 

Important elements of the current work will continue.  The Trust has re-affirmed its strong commitment to the Carnegie Rural Development Community of Practice (Fiery Spirits), focusing the work of two members of staff on developing Fiery Spirits over the next two years.  In addition the Trust has earmarked significant funding to be directed to this work.  The Trust also remains committed to continuing to support the development of Community Land Trusts over the next two years.

The Carnegie UK Trust will continue to place the interests of disadvantaged communities at the heart of its activities as it delivers its work as an operating trust that is committed to “changing minds and changing lives”.