A national charity is launching a ten-year £500,000 investment plan to improve the lives of Bradford communities.

Policy research unit the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has chosen Bradford as the location for three major projects over the next decade.

The charity's work has been based mainly in York but now it has identified Bradford as its "second city" to allow it tackle urban decline.

The work will focus on three project areas under the titles: Culture Makes Communites, Faith and Cohesion in Communities and the Impact of Migration on Communities.

The schemes aim to find new ways of managing the settlement of migrants in the city, helping faith groups to build relationships within their neighbourhoods and finding ways for community arts to improve residents' lives.

The foundation is now looking to recruit a team of people to manage each project over the next decade. Each project area in Bradford will have its own national and local policy adviser and the charity is also planning to set up Bradford Research and Development groups for each project.

The foundation has been working with Bradford Council for two years to identify areas of need within the district.

Last year Bana Gora was appointed as the foundation's manager in the city.

She said: "The overall aim of forging a closer link with a 'second city' was to gain sharper insights into a range of social policy issues, particularly race and ethnicity and the problems of urban decline. From all the possible options, trustees identified Bradford as a place that offers us unique opportunities for direct engagement with the opportunities and dilemmas facing individuals and communities working to improve life for the most disadvantaged.

"Our initial aim has been to gain a fuller understanding of Bradford, to find out what is already known, and to ensure that the future Joseph Rowntree Foundation work adds value.

"Our aim is to focus on issues that are groundbreaking or aspirational in the district, rather than concentrating on what is going wrong. This is an exciting stage, marking the transition from careful preparation to pro-active engagement."

The decision to invest £500,000 into Bradford has been welcomed by Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton.

Coun Eaton said: "We are delighted at the long-term commitment shown by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in supporting pioneering schemes across the district.

"Through co-operation, both the Foundation and the Council aim to contribute positive and sustainable change that will bring real improvement to local communities."

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation was formed in 1904 in York.