Civic Data Cooperative (CDC)

The Liverpool City Region Civic Data Cooperative (CDC) was established in 2020 by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the University of Liverpool to improve how civic data is used to support the health, wellbeing and prosperity of local communities.

Over a five‑year programme, the CDC built a pioneering model of secure data infrastructure, problem‑led innovation, and participatory data stewardship, strengthening the region’s ability to use data and AI responsibly to improve people’s lives.

Our Approach 

The CDC based its work on three interconnected strands, each essential to mobilising civic data as a shared community asset: 

1. Technical Infrastructure – Exploring what we can do with data and research

Building secure, privacy‑preserving environments to enable high‑quality, responsible use of data for research, service improvement and public benefit. 

2. Public Service Innovation – Imagining better services and solutions with data

Working with public services, residents, researchers and businesses to co‑design data‑enabled solutions to real‑world challenges. 

3. Public Participation – Engaging communities on how they want data to be used

Embedding meaningful public voice, ensuring communities shape how data and AI are governed, accessed and applied.  

Together, these strands enabled the CDC to support evidence‑informed decisions across health, social care, local government, and civic organisations; always rooted in public benefit. 

Mobilising Civic Data for Public Good 

Throughout its programme, the CDC helped shape a regional culture where data is a shared community resource. Key achievements included: 

Establishing a world‑first LCR Community Charter on Data and AI, co‑designed with residents to guide responsible, transparent and accountable data use. 

Supporting regional approval and public governance mechanisms for the NHS Secure Data Environment, created with extensive public involvement. 

Enabling hundreds of residents to participate in deliberation, consultation, and community‑led research on data and AI.  

This work established Liverpool City Region as a national and international leader in ethical civic data governance and participatory AI. 

Building Regional Data Infrastructure 

The CDC played a foundational role in the development of major platforms that continue to shape research, service design and policy across the region: 

CIPHA (Combined Intelligence for Population Health Action) 

Enabling integrated, real-time data for population health management.

Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (MRIC) Trusted Research Environment

Supporting advanced mental health research and innovation. 

Children Growing Up in Liverpool (CGULL) longitudinal study 

Providing leading early-years insight and supporting work on childhood health.

Driving Innovation Across the Region 

Through its innovation programmes—including What’s Your Problem?, Greater Data, community data hacks, business partnerships and public‑sector design challenges—the CDC brought together civic organisations, SMEs, researchers and residents to generate new solutions for complex issues such as: 

• Early help pathways for families 
• Mental health support for men and students 
• Safe & Well risk‑reduction with regional Fire & Rescue Services 
• More than 40 SMEs and dozens of public organisations benefited from targeted support and collaborative innovation processes.  

The Future 

As programme funding concludes in 2026, the CDC’s mission continues through CHIL and the new LCR Civic HealthTech Innovation Zone, ensuring long‑term stewardship of civic data and continuity for research, public engagement and responsible AI development.

The LCR Community Charter on Data and AI will remain central to this work, embedding public voice, transparency and accountability into future projects.