The government is providing £150 million over 4 years to support community groups in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of being lost. There may be several projects which are publicly accessible locations and may require renovations. Voluntary and community groups (and some councils) can bid for funding to acquire important assets and run them for the benefit of the local community. The Fund will run until March 2025 with DLUHC running regular bidding windows throughout the year for applicants to submit a full application to the Fund.

Purpose: Apply for funding to take ownership of assets at risk of loss in the community.

Type of fund: Competitive

Who can apply: Incorporated voluntary and community organisations, and parish, town, and community councils (depending on eligibility requirements) 

Capital funding available: Up to £1 million for all asset types, but DLUHC expect that most awards will be for up to £250,000 of capital funding.

Goals:

• support community groups to take ownership of assets which are at risk of being lost to the community
• support community groups where the asset is already in community ownership but needs essential renovations to be sustainable for the long-term benefit of the community
• strengthen community ownership across the UK
• strengthen the social infrastructure that helps communities to thrive

Key dates to note:

• Expression of Interest stage – always open
• Round 3 Bidding Window 1 – 31 May – 12 July 2023
• Applications must be submitted by 11:59am on each bidding window’s respective closing date
• There will be 4 bidding windows each year at regular intervals
• March 2025 – Fund closes

Example projects may include:

• Sports and leisure facilities
• Cinemas and theatres
• Music venues
• Museums
• Galleries
• Parks
• Pubs
• Post office buildings
• Shops

Examples can be found at: Community Ownership Fund: successful bidders – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Further information can be found at Community Ownership Fund: prospectus – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)