We’re living through a unique moment of challenge and change – from the Covid-19 pandemic to the growing cost of living crisis. Each time, community has been and will be our first line of defence. Local people and organisations stepped up to coordinate a response and provide support to those struggling, often much more quickly than statutory partners. But too often this vital ‘third pillar’ of community plays second fiddle to the
state and private sector in the minds of our politicians and in the policies they implement.
Strong communities are the bedrock of successful nations. And enterprising people in these communities have the ability to build powerful organisations which respond to local need and provide people agency and purpose. What follows is a manifesto for the ways that government can harness this talent.
With a general election on the horizon, this manifesto sets out Power to Change’s key policy asks of the next government. These policies aim to create the conditions for community businesses to thrive. Key asks in this manifesto include calls to extend and expand the Community Ownership Fund, introduce a Community Power Act and to establish a High Street Buyout Fund.
