We know that the right kind of finance – at the right time – is instrumental in the success of community business. Using the breadth of our knowledge and experience, we are advocating for more affordable, flexible and accessible finance for community businesses.
Unlocking community-led regeneration by fixing the finance gap
From restoring historic buildings to delivering ambitious mixed-use developments, community businesses are proving what’s possible on the high street. Yet behind these successes lies a constant struggle to piece together funding and navigate complex systems.
The missing pieces of Burnham’s place-first politics
The first test of Burnham’s first 100 days in office will be whether his devolution agenda reaches beyond strategic authorities to give communities the rights, capital, and capacity to create good growth in every postcode.
Good growth in every postcode needs power in every community
Today, Andy Burnham starts his new role as Prime Minister. Community businesses offer a practical route to delivering his good growth agenda, but if devolution is to reach every postcode, power, capital and ownership must travel beyond town halls and into communities.
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act marks an important shift in how power and decision-making are shared across the country. In this blog, Power to Change’s Chief Executive, Tim Davies-Pugh, reflects on what that means for communities.
The recent proposal of a so‑called British Community Reinvestment Act has renewed national attention on how finance can better serve people and places. In this blog, Jennifer Van Der Merwe, Director at Kindred–LCR, reflects on what this moment could mean for the UK’s community finance sector. Drawing on insights from her visit to the Opportunity Finance Network conference in the United States, she explores how a mature, people‑centred approach to lending could help shape a fairer, more inclusive financial system here at home.
Why the new Office for the Impact Economy matters — and what it means for community business
Every so often, a policy shift signals real change. In this blog, Power to Change's Chief Executive, Tim Davies-Pugh, explains why the creation of the new Office for the Impact Economy, is one of those moments.
What happens when people excluded from the economy are trusted to redesign it? In Liverpool City Region, they built one that works for them. This next essay in our 10-year anniversary campaign explores how Kindred turned lived experience into economic expertise—and collective ambition into £39 million of impact.
Beyond the post-its: Local growth lessons from Liverpool and beyond
Kindred in Liverpool City Region is a story of collaboration, innovation, and social impact. As we mark our tenth anniversary, we explore how partnerships with strategic authorities have shaped a flourishing social economy.
Settle in the Yorkshire Dales is a living example of community power. From a hydroelectric plant to a swimming pool and music hall – read how the social economy has helped them deliver tangible, place-based growth.
‘Growing across’ – why inclusive growth must be part of the industrial strategy
The government’s ambitious industrial strategy sets out a bold vision for growth, but the real measure of success will be whether people feel the benefits in their daily lives. For growth to be truly transformative, it must be inclusive—rooted in communities, creating opportunities for those often left behind, and delivering lasting prosperity across every region.
Five high street innovators join new learning partnership
Our latest research on the economic contribution of community business illustrates the key role they play in economic growth. But their value goes beyond economic measures, playing a vital role in fostering connection, social value, and resilience in our communities.
Equity and inclusion in community business support
The Powering Up programme placed equity and inclusion at its heart, recognising the additional barriers faced by minoritised and racialised communities. This blog shares key lessons from our approach, from simplifying access and embedding culturally competent support, to building trust through lived experience and continuously evolving the programme design.
Building resilience through digital and climate skills
In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, community businesses face significant challenges around digital transformation and climate change, impacting their sustainability and effectiveness. Recognising these critical areas of support, Power to Change developed Powering Up, a targeted programme dedicated to strengthening community businesses by building essential capabilities in both digital innovation and climate action.
As part of the Powering Up programme, Power to Change embraced open working. Through this process, we learned how transparency and collaboration can drive innovation, amplify impact, and support a more sustainable and equitable future for community businesses.
Empowering community businesses through flexible support
The Powering Up programme illustrates how devolving power and adopting flexible, inclusive approaches can significantly enhance the effectiveness of support for community businesses.
Developing innovative approaches to impact finance
Over the next two years, we’re working with five community asset developers to understand the role of accessible finance in unlocking positive impact for our communities.
Our recent Community Business Market Report 2024 shows that community business continue to face barriers in accessing sustainable forms of funding and finance. That’s why we’re working with government, funders and investors to foster appropriate and innovative finance for the future economy.
£2.5bn of levelling up funding stuck in limbo, public demand significant change in approach
New analysis from think-do tank Power to Change identifies 20% of total levelling up funding that is stuck in limbo. This comes alongside fresh polling by More in Common showing public appetite for significant changes in how regeneration funding is delivered in the short and long term.
English Devolution Bill and Community Right to Buy could be transformational for community business
We welcome today's King’s Speech - which puts growth at the heart of the new Government’s agenda and outlines further steps to ensure thriving communities.
