Give co-ops a try – Community Ownership Fund – community shares as match funding?

The Community Ownership Fund Round 3 Window 1 is re-opening again on 30 August. This fund will:

• Support community groups to take ownership of assets, which are at risk of being lost to the community.

• Support community groups where the asset is already in community ownership but needs essential renovations to be sustainable for the long-term benefit of the community.

• Strengthen community ownership across the UK, including NI.

• Strengthen the social infrastructure that helps communities to thrive.

The prospectus and guidelines are available here:

Community Ownership Fund: prospectus – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and some general guidelines and support available here Community Ownership Fund – MyCommunity.

Co-operative Alternatives can offer specialised support to any group/organisation based in Northern Ireland. In particular, if you are interested in find out more about community benefit societies and community shares, as match funding.

Please book a one-hour clinic with our advisor at Co-operative Alternatives – tiziana@coopalternatives.coop

Key dates to note:

• Expression of Interest stage – always open.
• Round 3 Bidding Window 1 – 30 August – 11 October 2023.
• Applications must be submitted by 11:59am on each bidding window’s respective closing date.
• There will be 4 bidding windows each year at regular intervals.
• March 2025 – Fund closes.