Members interested in applying are encouraged to contact their Community Matters Regional Coordinator for further advice.
Communitybuilders is a £70m investment fund which takes forward a commitment within the CLG Communities in Control: real people, real power White Paper (July 2008) to build more cohesive, empowered and active communities. The fund, which is jointly run by CLG and the OTS, is designed to empower citizens and communities by strengthening the resilience of multi-purpose community-led organisations across England through a mixture of financial and advisory support.
The type of the organisations that will be supported by they investment fund will have to have the ambition and capability to fulfill the following roles:
- Offering a place for communities to meet.
- Support and promote active and empowered citizens and community groups.
- Providing and hosting community services.
- Mobilising opportunities and resources within and into a local area
Angela Smith MP, Minister for the Third Sector said:
"The Government's £70m investment in Communitybuilders is an exciting new funding approach that will support third sector organisations in the current economic climate and help them to emerge stronger. These organisations empower local citizens, providing a place to meet, holistic services and a voice for their communities. I look forward to working with the ACF to make a difference to so many local community organisations."
A statement from Communities and Local Government reflects Angela’s comments. CLG said: “We are pleased to have secured an experienced national partner for Communitybuilders. The combined expertise of Adventure Capital Fund and the Community Alliance is formidable, bringing as they do their unique blend of financial know-how and real insight into what makes communities tick. This will bring a real result for community anchors across England.”
David Tyler, Chief Executive of Community Matters, commented:
“The Community Alliance is delighted to be working alongside our partners ACF and Futurebuilders England to support the delivery of Communitybuilders. Across the Community Alliance partners - bassac, Community Matters and the DTA - there exists a wealth of practitioner knowledge and expertise. And with our experience of working with over 1500 grassroots community organisations we are well placed to provide support at all stages of the programme.
“Communitybuilders will provide much-needed investment and development support to community anchors, helping them to move towards long term financial stability and away from grant dependency.”
Communitybuilders will be open for applications later this summer. However, those organisations who wish to register an interest in applying for the fund or would like further information can call 0191 261 5200.
We urge our members and other community anchor organisations interested in applying to start preparing for this NOW! Contact your Regional Coordinator whose contact details you can find here: Regional Coordinators
The funding, from the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Office of the Third Sector (OTS), is part of the Government’s Empowerment White Paper which was launched in July 2008. It is designed to help empower citizens and communities by strengthening the resilience of multi-purpose community-led organisations across England through a mixture of financial and advisory support and will comprise a mix of loans, grants and non-financial support at different stages of project development.
Who can apply?
Organisations that are eligible for funding will have the following characteristics:
Community control by local residents and/or representatives of local groups
Able to address a wide range of their neighbourhood’s needs in a holistic way
Include all sections of their community
Facilitates and supports community development and enterprise in the local area.
For more information
Additional information on Communitybuilders is available at:
www.communitybuildersfund.org.uk
www.communities.gov.uk/communities/thirdsector/communitybuilders/
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/community_action/communitybuilders.aspx
Or email: communitybuilders@communities.gsi.gov.uk
