How Better Data Is Helping Tackle Poverty and Improve Employability Outcomes

Better data can play a vital role in addressing poverty and improving employability outcomes across our region.

Helix is the first regional employability and skills data platform of its kind, bringing together data from six local authorities into one shared system. By providing a clearer picture of employability and skills needs across the region, Helix is helping partners work more effectively together and make better-informed decisions.

In this short video, partners explain how the platform is already improving collaboration, strengthening decision-making, and generating valuable insights that support employability and skills development.

As Helix continues to evolve, it has the potential to deepen our understanding of poverty and help shape more targeted, evidence-based interventions for individuals and communities.

🎥 Watch the video below.

📖 Read the ESES City Region Deal Annual Report: https://indd.adobe.com/view/ab0296bc-305a-47af-a786-bece5b32f7f8

Helix is the first regional employability and skills data platform of its kind, uniting data from six local authorities into one system. In this video, partners describe how it improves collaboration and decision-making, and how, as it grows, it will deepen insight into tackling poverty across the region.

The University of Edinburgh: Maximising Community Impact through Procurement

What if procurement could achieve more than simply buying goods and services?

A new case study featured in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Annual Report 2025/26 demonstrates how procurement can be a powerful tool for delivering social impact.

Through a partnership with the ESES City Region Deal and regional suppliers, the University of Edinburgh embeds community benefit requirements directly into its procurement processes—ensuring local spend drives meaningful community impact.

Creating Social Value Through Procurement

As part of its newly launched Community Plan (2025–30), the University of Edinburgh has committed to delivering community benefits through its procurement activities.

Supported by a key pillar of the University's procurement strategy, suppliers are encouraged to use the ESES Communities Portal to identify local priorities and connect directly with third-sector organisations and community groups.

This approach helps transform supply chain commitments into tangible outcomes, including:

• Supporting local community projects

• Strengthening third-sector organisations

• Developing skills and opportunities

• Delivering wider social value across the region

Watch the Story

This case study shows what can be achieved when social impact is placed at the heart of purchasing decisions.

A huge thank you to everyone featured in the video for sharing their experiences and demonstrating the value of collaboration between universities, businesses and communities.

📖 Read the full Annual Report: City Region Deal – Annual Report 2025 – 2026_FINAL

🎥 Watch the video below.

This partnership between ESESCommunities (IRES programme) and the University of Edinburgh shows how anchor institutions can use procurement to drive social and economic value. Guided by the University's 2030 Procurement Strategy, it connects suppliers with regional beneficiaries. A supplier and community organisation share the partnership's real-world impact.

This case study demonstrates that a progressive approach to Community Wealth Building can really make a difference. We would appreciate your opinion on Community Wealth Building in your local area. Please complete our short, anonymous survey to help us gauge the challenges faced by your community. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QGYW6RC

National Robotarium – Thistle Robotics at the VEX Robotics World Finals

This video features Thistle Robotics, a team of S5/S6 pupils from James Gillespie’s High School, whose robotics journey took them from Edinburgh to the VEX Robotics 2026 World Championship in St. Louis. Due to the incredible support from The National Robotarium's Outreach and Engagement Lead Blair Wilson, the team became the only Scottish state school to reach the World Finals.

🎥 Watch the video, showcased in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Annual Report 2025/26 below:

Homes, Heat and Healthy Kids

Cold, damp homes are linked to chest infections in children, but some ways of making them warmer can also trap in air pollution if not ventilated properly.

Led by Dr Olivia Swann, the Homes, Heat and Healthy Kids project links children's healthcare data with their housing history across Scotland to guide policy. A Parent Group of families with lived experience shapes research questions and co-production of research outputs.

🎥 Watch the video, showcased in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Annual Report 2025/26:

Building Skills, Confidence and Opportunity Through Partnership

We're pleased to share a new video featured in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Annual Report, highlighting the impact of the Housing Construction Initiative (HCI) and the role of partnership working in creating inclusive routes into skills and employment.

Through collaboration with third sector organisations, the Integrated Regional Employability & Skills (IRES) programme is helping people access opportunities that may not always be available through traditional pathways.

One inspiring example is the Community Trades Hub in Fife, which supports young people to build confidence, develop practical construction skills and take positive steps towards employment. At the same time, the initiative is helping employers address skills shortages across the construction sector while delivering wider community benefits.

This video demonstrates how IRES brings partners together to:

• Widen access to skills and employment opportunities

• Support individuals to build confidence and develop new skills

• Strengthen communities through inclusive approaches

• Help employers address workforce and skills challenges

• Build the skilled workforce needed for the future

Watch the Video

🎬 Click below to watch the video

You can watch other videos which show how the City Region Deal’s projects and programmes are helping people, in the Annual Report 2025/26