Manchester City Council has launched a new report looking at the current and future role of the Tech for Good community in achieving Manchester’s vision of becoming an inclusive leading digital city.

The Tech for Good community has been championing the use of technology to enable social change and its work has 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 offers insights into approaches that could strengthen Manchester’s Tech for Good community and enable grassroots solutions to social challenges. 

It also outlines a vision for a ‘Smarter’ city and economy, where human-centric systems and frameworks are embedded in smart city approaches.

The report includes recommendations 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. The recommendations will be used by Manchester City Council to inform future decision-making and to drive inclusive growth.

The two recommendations are to develop a Smarter Economy Demonstrator to test and implement new capabilities within the economy and to develop applications to assist funding and financing for a Smarter Economy Demonstrator. 

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 the 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.”