TECH FOR GOOD IN A HUMAN-
CENTERED ECONOMY REPORT
Our new report explores the explores the current and future role of the ‘Tech for Good’ ecosystem in achieving Manchester’s vision of becoming an inclusive leading digital city.
Manchester’s ‘Tech for Good’ community has long championed the use of technology to enable social change. The community’s influence and drive have been integral to building Manchester’s reputation as a city committed to fostering ethical and socially responsible technologies.
The Tech for Good in a Human Centered Economy Report, delivered by Manchester-based social enterprise Bassajamba, explores the role of the Tech for Good community’s current and future role in achieving Manchester’s vision of becoming an inclusive leading digital city.
Recognising the ‘Tech for Good’ community as a distinct ecosystem, the report offers insights into approaches that could better support Manchester’s ‘Tech for Good’ community and enable grassroots solutions to social challenges. It outlines a vision for a ‘Smarter’ city and economy, where human-centric systems and frameworks are embedded in smart city approaches.
Recommendations in the report have been developed using a Systems Map connecting the Tech for Good ecosystem on to the systems and structures of a human-centric ‘Smarter’ economy, and a S.C.O.R.E Analysis highlighting the Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities, Responses and Effectiveness of the Systems Map.
Reina Yaidoo, CEO at Bassajamba, said: “This report highlights the powerful 'for purpose' work already seen in parallel strands of the Tech for Good ecosystem in Manchester, in both the for profit and non-profit sectors of the economy. Our recommendations include alternative ways that ‘Smarter’ city economic models could bring these two systems together to unleash opportunities for social and economic dynamism, open new avenues for data and digital value based insight and transform innovation and inequality in the city, giving Manchester a strategic lead within Tech for Good and an ethical underpinning to the growth of Smarter Economies as part of a Smarter City.”
Angela Harrington, Director of Inclusive Economy at Manchester City Council said: “Manchester’s Tech for Good ecosystem plays a vital role in enabling socially conscious innovation. Through examining the current tech and digital landscape and identifying new opportunities for systemic transformation, this report shines a light on strengths and barriers within the ecosystem and offers a roadmap for building a greener, fairer and more collaborative economy. We’re proud to champion ethical and responsible tech development that drives our ten-year ‘Investing in Success’ plan to grow Manchester's economy and make it more inclusive.”
Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, Executive Member for FInance and Resources at Manchester City Council said: “Manchester’s ambition to be a world-leading digital city is rooted in our commitment to inclusion, sustainability and innovation. This report reflects the values of our Our Manchester Strategy and supports the delivery of our Investing in Success economic plan — by showing how Tech for Good can help build a smarter, fairer and greener economy. We’re proud to back a tech ecosystem that puts people first, drives ethical innovation, and creates real opportunities for all our communities.”
The report highlights:
Drivers for Change
Key drivers for change that could inspire transformation within the Tech for Good ecosystem include the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, human-centred ‘Smarter’ city technologies, and support for inclusive, ethical and future-ready innovation at a strategic level.
Ecosystem Barriers and Challenges:
Limited cross-sector collaboration, inequitable access to funding and resources, and the exclusion of diverse communities inhibit the growth and impact of the Tech for Good ecosystem. Infrastructure for a collaborative economy is needed to support systemic innovation and amplify collective impact.
Ecosystem Strengths, Opportunities and Effectiveness
While Manchester has one of the strongest tech ecosystems in the UK, boasting a thriving £5 billion digital economy, new capabilities must be developed to ensure it is inclusive, ethical and future-ready - nurturing the ‘Tech for Good’ ecosystem and meeting the city’s evolving needs. Embedding regenerative design and ethical data frameworks could help to achieve Manchester’s ambitious vision.
Recommendations for Transformation
The report explores the potential for a Smarter Economy Demonstrator to test and implement new capabilities within the economy that could deliver significant benefits for citizens, organisations and the public sector.
Next Steps
To guide delivery of the recommendations, an appendum outlines six practical objectives to drive inclusive, ethical, and impactful transformation.