The Stockwell Urban II Programme was officially launched in June 2002. The target area has a population of 30,180 and covers the two wards of Stockwell and Larkhall (collectively known as Stockwell), in the London Borough of Lambeth. The programme aimed to promote an enterprising community with opportunities for all, creating a healthy and safe neighbourhood which can take ownership of its future. Urban II had three main priorities: a) developing Social Capital, b) enhancing community well-being, and c) supporting employability and local enterprise. The project included the production of a neighbourhood action plan and a master plan.
The collaboration of the local community representatives with local agencies, enabled to secure a mix of funding, also resulting in new governance structures. As part of the process, the programme offered the opportunity to citizens to take an accredited training course and join the project as community researchers, while at the same time acquiring new skills to better their employment prospects beyond the duration of the project itself. A community-led evaluation concluded that The Urban II programme has been well run with real community leadership and has met or exceeded most of its targets. Key to the process was the Stockwell Partnership, a charity which grew from a group of local activists who felt that the area was not getting its fair share of regeneration investment. The charity has been working with residents and agencies to improve the local neighbourhood since 1999.