Our programmes

Open and upcoming funding and support programmes for community businesses.

Open for applications

four lifeguards and a member of staff sitting on the edge of the pool

Community Shares Booster

Delivered by the Community Shares Unit and funded by Power to Change, Architectural Heritage Fund and Access Foundation, Community Shares Booster supports community businesses that are at all stages of a community share issue.

closed programmes

Hands packing soil into plant pots.

Community Business Trade Up

Delivered by the School for Social Entrepreneurs, Trade Up provides community businesses with the skills, support network and funding to increase income from trading.

Participants discuss at a community entrepreneurs training.

Community tech: Makers & Maintainers

We are looking to support community businesses who are making and using technologies that generate benefit for and give power to communities. Initially our focus is on the repair, care and maintenance of community technologies.

Participants discuss at a community entrepreneurs training.

Leading the Way

Leading the Way offers a tailored learning programme to support the development and the impact of community enterprises in the North East of England or Yorkshire and the Humber.

Contactless payment transaction using a mobile phone to pay.

Financial capabilities

Our Financial Capabilities programme supports community businesses in managing their organisation’s finances, with the hope of making them more resilient and sustainable in the long term. Delivered by our partners Locality and the Women’s Organisation.

Two women look at an ipad in a cafe

Powering Up

Powering Up is for community businesses who need support shifting from an emergency mindset to investing in future planning. The current round has a focus on improving climate and sustainability skills.

person writing on a whiteboard

Discovery Fund

A new fund to develop your ideas and learn new skills. We are looking to fund community businesses and organisations that are interested in making and using technology which upholds and reflects their values, but haven’t yet had the capacity to think about or do it.