Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation that designs, tests and scales solutions for the biggest challenges of our time.

Driven by a vision to improve the lives of millions of people, our focus up to 2030 is on three missions: breaking the link between family background and life chances, halving obesity and cutting household carbon emissions.

We work with partners across the public, private and third sectors to develop high-potential solutions and test them as they evolve, drawing on deep expertise in qualitative and quantitative research, data science, behavioural science and design. 

Once confident in the effectiveness of a solution, we are relentless in the pursuit of scale. We create and make the case for ambitious national policy proposals, develop consumer-facing products and services, spin out and support commercial ventures and harness the power of the arts to shape national narratives.

We extend our impact through two specialised units that help others to solve complex problems and achieve their missions. BIT applies a deep understanding of human behaviour to help clients achieve their goals. Challenge Works designs and runs challenge prizes to spark innovation in science, technology and society. 

Together, we are building a powerful ecosystem for innovation that delivers proven solutions to create lasting, positive change.


Latest reports

Unlocking the economics of clean heat neighbourhoods

This report from UK think tank Nesta explores the reasons behind the challenges faced by shared infrastructure projects across the UK. Nesta has been researching the ways to roll out area-based approaches to clean heat at scale One aspect of our clean heat neighbourhood approach is shared infrastructure technologies, such as networked heat pumps, shared...

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How can governments regulate social media for the public good?

This report from UK think tank Nesta highlights the need for innovative public policy and digital interventions, led by institutions like the BBC. As part of Options for the UK – Nesta’s new home for ideas and radical thinking on policy challenges – Tony Curzon Price argues that our current regulatory approach to regulating social...

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How a clean heat transition could be delivered – Exploring the market opportunity for Plymouth’s supply chain

This report from UK think tank Nesta examines how a clean heat transition could be delivered. This draft plan, developed collaboratively by Nesta and Plymouth City Council, outlines a strategic approach to transitioning over 7,500 properties in Stoke ward from fossil fuels to clean, electrified heat. Local authorities often face a delivery gap between strategic...

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Family Hubs pregnancy grant pilot – Interim report and early lessons

This report from UK think tank Nesta presents early insights into the programme's implementation and the experience of participants so far. About the pilot In April 2025, Camden Council began piloting the Family Hubs Pregnancy Grant. This is an offer of £500 to low-income pregnant people. Parents are notified of the grant and given simple...

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Mind the gaps – why restrictions on less healthy food and drink advertising fall short

This report from UK think tank Nesta explores the changing face of food and drink advertising. Obesity is a critical public health challenge in the UK, with two-thirds of adults now living with excess weight, and levels of childhood obesity in the UK among the highest in Europe. In January 2026, the government implemented new statutory restrictions on...

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Upcoming events

6 May 2026

Location: Online

Think tank: Nesta

Agentic AI: opportunities and lessons for social good

This event hosted by UK think tank explores how organisations can proactively identify opportunities for agentic AI. Agentic AI has the potential to transform how we approach complex social challenges, but its success depends on moving beyond the hype to practical, effective implementation. While interest in advanced AI is growing rapidly, successfully delivering these tools...

7 May 2026

Location: Online / The Line, 58 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DS

Think tank: Nesta

How to scale social innovations: building a delivery network

This event hosted by UK think tank Nesta explores how to scale social innovations effectively. Too many promising social innovations fail to reach their full potential. While early-stage pilots often show strong results, they can struggle to scale due to the absence of a robust and sustained delivery network. Understanding how to build, support and...