Details

The Community Ownership Fund will help ensure that communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can support and continue benefiting from the local facilities, community assets and amenities most important to them.

Voluntary and community groups can bid for match funding to help them buy or take over local community assets at risk of being lost, to run as community-owned businesses. Funding may support the purchase and/or renovation costs of community assets and amenities.

The Fund has four strategic objectives:

• to provide targeted investment for communities to save and sustain community assets that would otherwise be lost to community use
• to strengthen capacity and capability in communities, supporting them to shape their places and develop sustainable community businesses
• to empower communities in left behind places to level up
• to strengthen direct links between places across the UK and the UK government

Proposals will need to prove the value of the asset to local people and that the asset can run sustainably for the long-term benefit of the community. The fund will support a range of community ownership proposals. For example, projects may include:

• sporting and leisure facilities
• cinemas and theatres
• music venues
• museums
• galleries
• parks
• pubs
• post office buildings
• shops

See the UK Government website for full details on criteria and eligibility.

Premium information is available exclusively to SCVO members and supporters

Geographical areas funded: Scotland UK

Fund type

Type of funding:

Grant

Type of cost:

Capital

Fund award sizes

Maximum:

Premium information

Notes on award amounts:

Premium information

Who can apply

The Community Ownership Fund will consider applications from voluntary and community organisations from all parts of the United Kingdom who have a viable plan for taking ownership of a community asset at risk and running it sustainably for community benefit.

Applications for funding will only be accepted from incorporated organisations which are set up to deliver charitable purpose, social purpose or public benefit. Organisations must show this through their charitable purpose and/or an asset lock within their governing documents.  

When to apply

Currently closed.

How to apply

Detailed guidance on eligibility criteria is available on the UK Government website.

There is a two stage application process. Stage one involves submitting an Expression of Interest where you will receive a quick outcome on your proposals before submitting a full application. Once a bidding window opens, all those who passed the EOI stage will be invited to submit a full application.

Contact information

Exclusions

Premium information

Activites funded: Citizenship and community involvement Community development and regeneration Community facilities

Beneficiaries funded: Local communities

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Last reviewed 2 months ago