Aims/priorities: The funding is intended to support communities in all parts of the United Kingdom to purchase community assets and amenities and run them as sustainable community businesses.
The Community Ownership Fund has four strategic objectives:
- To provide targeted investment for communities to save and sustain community assets that would otherwise be lost to community use.
- To strengthen capacity and capability in communities, supporting them to shape their places and develop sustainable community businesses.
- To empower communities in left behind places to level up.
- To strengthen direct links between places across the UK and the UK government.
Who can apply? Grants are available to voluntary, community and charitable organisations
Grant amount: Up to £25,000.00
Application process: Organisations can make an Expression of Interest at any time. If you are successful, you will be invited to submit a full application, which they do not have to do immediately.
For example, if you plan to apply in the second bidding window of Round 2 of applications, you will need to express your interest at least three weeks before the closing date of 14 December 2022. If you apply in this window, it is expected that you will be informed of the outcome of your application in spring 2023.
It is expected that there will be at least eight bidding rounds in total as the Community Ownership Fund runs until 2024/25. There will be three bidding rounds per year.
Applicants should check the bidding window timings for the full application stage in the prospectus.
Application documents are available from the GOV.UK website.
Deadline: Not specified.
Contact information: Tel: 030 3444 0000 Email: COF@levellingup.gov.uk
Website: GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)