Power to Change has suspended all current funding programmes, including Community Business Bright Ideas, as we are focusing our attention on supporting community businesses affected by COVID-19. All future rounds of this programme are currently paused. 

Emergency support: If you are a live Bright Ideas grantee and have not yet submitted your end of grant report, you might be eligible to apply for some emergency support from us and Locality. Please fill out this short Expression of Interest.

See our dedicated COVID-19 pages and sign up to our newsletter for regular updates.

What is The Community Business Bright Ideas Fund?
The Community Business Bright Ideas Fund is  delivered by a consortium including Co-operatives UK, Plunkett Foundation and Groundwork UK, led by Locality and funded by Power to Change. It aims to give community groups in England the support necessary to start setting up their community business.

Is it open for applications?
The Community Business Bright Ideas Fund is now closed.

Who can apply?
Community groups in England looking to set up and start running a community business.

What can you apply for?
Groups accepted onto the programme will receive tailored business development support, mentoring and visits and can apply for a small grant of up to £15,000 to fund development and start-up costs.

Where can I find out more?
If you are a new community business with a bright idea, find out if you are eligible to apply by reading the guidance.

For existing community businesses interested in testing out a new community business, please read our Incubating and Enabling Guidance Notes.

You can now view our webinar, where you will be able to find out more about the fund, application process and hear from a programme grantee: Radcliffe Market. View the webinar here.

Complete the eligibility checker and apply here. If you have any questions about your application you can get in touch with Locality for free advice and guidance: brightideas@locality.org.uk