Who we work with

Partners

We work with our partners to build better places.

We know community business works to build stronger communities and better places to live. We back them to grow and succeed. But we don’t do it alone, we work in partnership with a range of organisations to shape the conditions for community businesses to thrive.

We work with a large range of organisations to shape the conditions for community businesses to thrive. This includes:

  • Funders and foundations
  • Investors, from social investors to private investors
  • Government at all levels, including regional and local authorities
  • Think tanks and advocacy organisations
  • Community businesses

Want to work with us?

Contact the team

We do, test and learn in three areas

Three people sit around a table discussing.

Building community power

We believe communities should have the power to change what matters to them in their local area. We’re working with partners to make the case for governing the country differently. We’re also a proud partner of the We’re Right Here campaign, calling for a Community Power Act, a major piece of legislation which would fundamentally change where power lies in this country. 
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Financing the future economy

We know that the right kind of finance – at the right time – is instrumental in the success of community business. Through working in partnership, we’re leveraging investment into the community business sector. And we’re advocating for more affordable, flexible and accessible finance for community businesses.

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People taking down bunting after Nudge Community Union Street party

Taking back our high streets

We want all communities to have the power to create vibrant and resilient high streets that work for them. Through evidence, advocacy and working in partnership, we’re creating the power, backing and resources that community businesses need to take a greater role in shaping the future of their high streets and town centres.
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News and views

Our thinking and latest updates on how we’re backing community business.

Celebration to setback: lessons in advocating for community ownership

Celebration to setback: lessons in advocating for community ownership

Our thinking
The Community Ownership Fund has been a game-changer, helping communities to purchase the spaces they care about. But along with the latest allocation of funding came an announcement of the fund's closure, and an underspend that leaves many community businesses without the support they had been banking on. Our analysis explores why this happened and what we can learn from it.
One step…beyond?

One step…beyond?

Our thinking
This week the Government published its Devolution White Paper. We dig into what this means for communities and the regional authorities serving them. 
Testing and learning from Market Drayton

Testing and learning from Market Drayton

Our thinking
What I took from Pat McFadden's public service reform speech, and where this insersects with innovation already underway in my community.
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Learning what works

We’ve built up significant evidence and research about what works for community business to thrive. We are committed to partnering with think tanks and research institutions to test, do and learn how to tackle the barriers to their success.

Resilient Communities Fund: Review

Resilient Communities Fund: Review

The Resilient Communities Fund provided emergency support as quickly as possible to community businesses, to support them to implement energy resilience projects to become more resilient to both climate change and the cost-of-living crisis.
Leading the Way – Evaluation Report

Leading the Way – Evaluation Report

The Leading the Way programme aimed to increase the skills, confidence, and networks of community enterprise leaders. This report evaluates it's impact, including on their enteprises and communities.
Community Life Survey Hyperlocal Booster Report

Community Life Survey Hyperlocal Booster Report

Reporting on Kantar Public’s difference-in-difference analysis of the hyperlocal version of the Community Life Survey.
All our research and reports