The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has asked me to look at how policy actors in public, private and non-governmental sectors develop and apply social policies for excluded or deprived communities, focusing on community capacity building. I am looking for examples from housing, health and regeneration.

Our team wants to examine the way these communities are encouraged to participate, with a view to them developing knowledge, skills and the ability to shape policy.

It would help my research if HSJ readers could send me any evidence they have in this area. I will consider any material, even if the terms community capacity building or capacity building are not used in the policy or practice concerned.

Gary Craig, professor of social justice, Hull University