Do you have the passion, ideas and drive to develop or launch a community-owned enterprise?
If you have, then we have the funding and hands-on business support to help you turn them into reality.
The Community Assets Fund is looking for the most entrepreneurial and sustainable community business ideas that can generate revenue for the benefit of local communities.
The Community Assets Fund is a £1.2m fund created by West Lindsey District Council and is run by two leading organisations in community and social enterprise, CAN and the Plunkett Foundation. The programme supports communities from across West Lindsey district to develop community enterprise for the benefit of their communities, for example:
• The opening or refurbishment of community buildings;
• The development of community infrastructure such as shops, pubs, or local transport.
What the programme offers
Communities can access:
• A combination of loan and grant finance;
• Surgery sessions to help communities develop their ideas and proposals;
• Inspiring events to showcase successful examples of community enterprise, together with access to expert sessions on developing community enterprises;
• One-to-one adviser support to help communities to work up their proposals;
• Additional advice and support, including mentoring and study visits.
This is not a traditional funding programme with a traditional application process. The programme seeks communities in West Lindsey with enterprising ideas to initially contact the programme helpline. Communities will be given the opportunity to attend surgery sessions and inspiring events, and the opportunity to apply for adviser support. An advisory panel will judge the viability of community proposals, and those most meeting the eligibility criteria will be invited to submit fully-costed proposals to the programme. The investment amounts will differ on a case-by-case basis, but investment will be a combination of both grant and loan finance. The loan made by the Fund will need to be repaid by the community and social enterprises it invests in.
Eligibility Activity
Proposals must be from the West Lindsey district and feature the following:
• Democratic structures with community control;
• Enterprising activity with long term sustainability;
• Contributions to economic growth including employment or training opportunities;
• Community benefits addressing social needs and supporting cohesion.
How to apply
Why not join an inspiring nation of entrepreneurial communities developing business solutions and opportunities to help themselves?
To register your interest in the fund, please call the helpline hosted by the Plunkett Foundation on 01993 810730 or complete this register of interest.