DTA in the North East

The Angel of the North - Gateshead

About us

There is a strong development trust movement in the North East with 38 full and emerging members. The North East office covers Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham and Tees Valley. More than 50% of our members are based in rural areas or market towns.

The main activities of the DTA in the North East are to:

• support the establishment of new development trusts
• support existing development trusts to work more effectively
• promote the development trust model within the region.

To access any of these services please call Gail on 01740 652 000 or Debbie on 01207 588 534.

In particular, the DTA in the North East promotes networking between development trusts through regular network meetings and events. The Federation of Northumberland Development Trusts has a strong programme of development work around community enterprise, asset development and representation. The Rural Affordable Housing Project is exploring the potential for development trusts to increase their involvement in the development and management of affordable housing. For more details of these projects are provided on the FONDT page of this website.

The DTA in the North East works to promote the development trust model regionally and nationally and to promote development trusts, asset development and community enterprise in strategic work with One NorthEast and Government Office North East.

The DTA in the North East is a founder member of the North East Social Enterprise Partnership (NESEP). NESEP is an organisation which promotes and supports social and community enterprise at regional level.

DTANE is a founder member of INSPIRE, a regional project developing viable and replicable social enterprises in social care, environmental industries, culture and tourism. A number of development trusts are currently involved in the renewable energy partnership (CORE), with others involved in food, recycling and tourism. In relation to equality, within the INSPIRE Development Partnership the DTA advocates on behalf of rural projects and enterprises.

Our services include:

• support for enterprise development through Enterprise Accelerator Plus (which is funded by Northern Rock Foundation)
• delivery of the DTA Health Check
• knowledge and Skills Exchange which provides funding for study visits
• promotion and initial advice on the Adventure Capital Fund, which is a national investment fund for community enterprise organisations.