The document discusses communities of practice (CoPs), which are networks that connect individuals facing common problems or interests. It provides statistics on the UK local government CoP website, including over 55,000 registered members across more than 1,300 communities. The document highlights several benefits of CoPs according to local government employees, such as saving time by accessing responses to ideas more quickly, developing new projects, avoiding duplicating work, and building professional relationships. It concludes with factors that make a CoP successful, such as having a clear purpose, safe and trusted environment, committed members, and blending online and in-person activities through good facilitation.

1. Connect the people and the knowledge will flow

2. “ If only Local Government knew what Local Government knows”

3. 2.1 million people

4. 700 services

5. Local Authorities 367

6. A Community of Practice is a network of individuals with common problems or interests who get together to explore ways of working, identify common solutions, and share good practice and ideas .

7. Connecting people to people Efficiency and value for money Sustainable self-improvement

19. www.communities.idea.gov.uk