Speaking at the Good Deals 09 Conference in London on 29th October, the Minister for the Third Sector announced that a further five community-owned social enterprises have been selected to take part in a Government-funded research project looking at new ways for social enterprises to attract finance.
The Guardian newspaper featured Community Shares on 2 September. Click here for a link to the article or read the story below
Community-owned enterprises can now apply to take part in a Government-funded research project which is looking at new ways for social enterprises to attract more funding.
Residents in a south Manchester suburb have raised over £32,000, enabling the community to set up a co-operative to buy out a much-loved local toyshop.
When the previous owner decided to retire from running Busy Bee Toyshop after 25 years, there was a real question about its future. In uncertain economic times would anyone be willing to take on an independent toyshop?
There are now over 200 village shops in the UK owned by their local communities and the boom is set to continue with the extension of a special programme of financial support.
The first five community-owned enterprises have been selected to participate in a Government funded two year action learning research project which aims to lead the way for communities in England to create common wealth in their local areas and transform communities for good.
Over 70 participants recently attended the highly successful awareness raising seminars in London, Birmingham and Manchester. The seminars were expertly led by programme consultant, Jim Brown, and the presentation from the seminars is now available as a pdf document. Clic
Over 75 enterprises attended the recent Community Shares Awareness Raising Seminars in London, Birmingham and Manchester. The feedback from the seminars has been very positive with many enterprises indicating their interest in participating in the Action Learning Research Programme.
Wessex Community Assets is holding a Community Shares and Community
Investment South West Seminar on Tuesday 19 May 2009 at Great Bow
Wharf in Langport. The event is being run as part of the Community Shares
Action Research Project initiated by the Department for Communities and Local Government, Co-operatives UK and the Development Trusts Association.
Following the successful Community Shares awareness raising seminars in London, Birmingham and Manchester, an additional event is being organised by the Development Trusts Association (DTA) in the NORTH EAST.
This will take place on Thursday 14th May 2009, 11 am to 3.30 pm at the Royal Station Hotel, Neville Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5DH
Action learning research project for Communities and Local Government (CLG), funded by the Office of the Third Sector (OTS).
Delivered in partnership by the Development Trusts Association (DTA) and Co-operativesUK
