CLES's most recent community wealth building conversation event, chaired by Huw Thomas, director of finance at Hywel Dda University, introduced the idea of ‘small country governments' and the pragmatic role that our Celtic governments are playing in tackling key challenges using community wealth building approaches. They are well placed to do this, the discussion concluded, because they are embedded in their places. But achieving public sector reform must go hand in hand with investing in the development of thriving local communities.  

The discussion brought together expertise from across the Celtic nations, including Miriam Brett, co-director of Future Economy Scotland, Rhiannon Hardiman, the policy lead for climate, nature, economy & food future at the Generations Commissioner for Wales, Mary McManus, regional manager for Living Wage Northern Ireland and Liam Quinn, chief executive of the Waterford Area Partnership.