About us

We support and work with rural communities, businesses, organisations and funders.

Why the Rural Design Centre was founded

Rural Design Centre was set up as a result of work with a range of rural stakeholders to understand business support and innovation activities in rural areas.

The Centre exists as an independent, not-for-profit organisation set up specifically for this purpose. As part of the Rural Catalyst partnership with the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise, the Centre delivers design-led projects with rural communities, bringing together community groups with businesses, researchers and public authorities.

We spark collaboration among individuals, communities, businesses, researchers and policy-makers using design. Our shared ambition is a future where rural communities lead in innovation, resilience and sustainable growth.

Work to date has focused on the North East of England, where the Centre is based, but there is an ambition to have an impact on a national scale.

Our principles

Human-Centred

Prioritising people at the heart of every project by crafting solutions that emphasise user experience, comfort, and accessibility, ensuring every individual feels seen and valued.

Impact-Driven

Measuring our success beyond the immediate output, ensuring every decision is made with a focus on positive, lasting benefits to rural communities and landscapes.

Collaborative

Building bridges across communities, businesses, researchers, and authorities, prioritising open dialogue and inclusivity, ensuring solutions are arose from collective insights and shared wisdom.

Evidence-based

Grounding our solutions in thorough research and empirical data, making decisions that are backed by credible sources and expertise, ensuring our solutions are informed, effective, and reliable.

Our team