Wider Network

The Association of Regional Observatories (ARO) represents the observatories, facilitating the exchange of good practice and supporting efforts to improve the quality of the evidence base available to policy makers.  ARO aims to promote the best data and intelligence for England's regions.

• Email enquiries to aro@swo.org.uk

Biodiversity South West seeks to promote and protect the rich and diverse range of wildlife present in the South West, a region which retains a significant proportion of the UK's overall resource of important wildlife sites.

Communities and Local Government (CLG) sets policy on local government, housing, urban regeneration, planning and fire and rescue. It has responsibility for all race equality and community cohesion related issues in England and for building regulations, fire safety and some housing issues in England and Wales. The rest of its work applies only to England.

Creating Excellence provides knowledge and know-how for people involved in regeneration and sustainable communities. Whether you are in the public, private or voluntary and community sector Creating Excellence gives you key information, learning and expertise to help you achieve more.

The Environment Agency is the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales. It's the Environment Agency's job to make sure that air, land and water are looked after by everyone in today's society, so that tomorrow's generations inherit a cleaner, healthier world.

Equality South West  (ESW) is a registered charity and England's first regional equality and diversity body. Working with partners across the region it aims to tackle discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and transgender. It supports dedicated regional networks for each of these seven strands. ESW is also working with other groups for asylum seekers, migrant workers and gypsies and travellers.

The Government Office for the South West aims to make the South West a better place to live and work, now and in the future. GOSW works to achieve sustainable growth and to develop safe and prosperous communities that meet the diverse needs of everyone who lives and works here. To achieve this, GOSW puts Government policy into practice at local level, implementing key programmes and initiatives in partnership with regional and local organisations and provides feedback to central Government that helps inform future policy.

HERDA-SW is the regional higher education association for the South West. It provides a forum for the 13 Universities and Higher Education Colleges in the region to work together. Its activity provides a focal point for liaison and co-operation between members and with key regional organisations, and on the development and delivery of a range of regional strategies and projects.

Natural England is working towards the delivery of four strategic outcomes, which together deliver on its purpose to conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment for the benefit of current and future generations. It seeks to conserve and enhance a healthy, natural environment and to encourage the sustainable use and management of the natural environment; and to secure the environmental future.

The Office for National Statistics produces independent information to improve understanding of the United Kingdom's economy and society. Reliable and impartial statistics are vital for planning the proper allocation of resources, policy-making and decision-making to ensure a fair society.  For more information on the ONS Regional Presence, click here.

South West Forum's key role is to be an active and dynamic influence in the region ensuring that the voluntary and community sectors are genuinely engaged in developing and influencing policy.

The South West Regional Development Agency (South West RDA) leads the development of a sustainable economy in South West England, investing to unlock the region's business potential

South West Tourism is the Regional Tourist Board for the South West of England, a partnership of both private enterprise and the public sector. It works to encourage the promotion and development of tourism across the region.

The South West UK Brussels Office seeks to ensure that the South West has a clear voice in Europe, that its interests are heard and its potential explored. It relays information about developments on the European level of relevance and benefit to the region. It works to develop transnational links and opportunities for cooperation with other European regions.