Culture, Heritage, Communities and Local Economies

The Cultural Engine

Providing expert and friendly support for organisations making a difference in their communities and improving local economies.

We partner with Local Authorities, Government Agencies, Universities, Trusts, Charities and other Community or Social Organisations by providing capacity and knowledge to:

  • Identify & secure funding.
  • Develop, manage & deliver projects.
  • Write relevant & deliverable strategies.
  • Support business planning & operational development.
  • Nurturing excellent cross-sector partnerships.
  • Undertake research.
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Our Services

In order to complete a successful project there are a number of different skillsets that are important to make a successful proposal become a reality. We are well skilled in a number of fields and can help you in a number of ways to reach your goals with a wide range of skillsets.

Case Studies

Restoring The World’s First Operational Radar Station

The Cultural Engine led this project following a successful Stage 1 pass achieved by Bawdsey Radar Trust in 2013. This included the full development and application process for Stage 2 and ultimately…

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Essex County Council – Cultural Commissioning Programme

The Cultural Engine was commissioned by Essex CC to run a year-long Cultural Commissioning Programme which recogniSed the challenges faced by arts and cultural organisations with limited funding and capacity.…

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St. Mary the Virgin Church

The Cultural Engine worked with St Marys to develop their initial Heritage Lottery Fund grant application and in particular helping them to set the context and guidance for future work…

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Latest from the News/Blog

CERG’s Imaginarium/mezzo-concept introduced at major Salford conference

How do places reinvent themselves successfully? University of Essex Essex Business School Centre for Coastal Communities took part in the inaugural i-PLACE 25 conference, organised by the @Key Cities Innovation Network, which gathered university leaders, councils, industry partners and innovation specialists over two days to explore how partnership and collaboration between civic institutions, academia and…

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CERG’S “mezzolevel” concept presented at i-PLACE 25 (Key Cities Innovation Network, Media City, Salford)

The Mezzo Level: Imagination as Infrastructure for Local Change Dr Tony D. Sampson — University of Essex / Cultural Engine Research GroupThe Imaginarium Project Conference presentation at https://www.i-place.uk/ This talk asks a simple question: What if imagination becomes part of policy infrastructure? It reframes the climate crisis as neither a macro-level problem for national governance…

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More details on the next Imaginarium event early next year Following on from the first Wild Essex Imaginarium at UoE’s Essex Business School on Sept 27th, we’re pleased to announce a further event on the evening of Thurs 12th Feb 2026 at Colchester’s Common Ground. We are currently confirming a fascinating programme of talks and performances…

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Get in Touch

Whatever your requirement, you can be assured that we are here to help.