How can events build connected, happy and thriving communities? – Final report
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How can events help build connected, happy, and thriving communities?
Spirit of 2012 was established to continue the pride and positivity that many people felt following the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Ten years on from the London 2012 Games, Spirit commissioned an independent inquiry to discover how events can best maximise long-term impact and achieve greater returns on investment for the communities that host them.
Over 12 months, the Inquiry listened to the views of people from across the UK using polling, focus groups, interviews and an open call for evidence.
In its final report, published in January 2023, the Inquiry made five recommendations to national and local government, funders and event organisers:
The Inquiry is also calling for two key actions:
While cultural, sporting and community events have left lasting social legacies, this has not always been achieved. If events are to have positive impacts, it requires learning from past experiences and planning and investment from the start. Dive deeper into this, see more about our scope and methodology and meet our Inquiry members below.
View case studies, films and data gathered over the course of the Inquiry and read the reports produced.