Skip to main content

Welcome to our new website. You may still see some pages from our old site as we move things over.

Who could apply

The partners we’re working with

We plan to work with 10 to 15 partner organisations with experience of improving community power. They’ll deliver activities in and with communities to increase their power, agency and control. This can be new or existing work.

And we’ll work with them as a group to develop new approaches for our funding in the future. We’ll build on the evidence of what works, sharing knowledge, enthusiasm and experience.

We plan to work with a mix of partners, with different types of experience. Including smaller community groups as well as larger or national organisations.

Experience partners will have

Partner organisations will:

  • have experience of going beyond engaging communities by doing work to increase their community power
  • work in and with communities that are the most excluded and marginalised, and the least empowered
  • have experience of working in communities where the conditions are currently least suited to growing community power. For example where people have less trust in each other, do not feel they belong, or do not have places to meet.
  • show how the values and approaches of community power are central to their work
  • be committed to working with us and the other partners to shape the principles of the future programme. This may include joint learning sessions, hosting or attending visits and more.

What organisations could apply to be a partner

Expressions of interest were open to these types of organisation:

  • constituted voluntary or community organisation
  • constituted group or club
  • registered charity
  • charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
  • not-for-profit company
  • community interest company (CIC)
  • school (as long as their project benefits and involves the communities around the school)
  • statutory body (including local authorities, town, parish and community council)
  • community benefit society

Any other funded partners also have to be one of these types of organisation.

Partners need at least 2 board or committee members who are not related

Related can mean:

  • related by marriage
  • in a civil partnership with each other
  • in a long-term relationship with each other
  • related through a long-term partner
  • living together at the same address
  • related by blood

All companies who apply must have at least 2 directors who are not related in any of these ways. This also applies to companies that are also registered as charities.

Who could not apply

  • individuals
  • sole traders
  • organisations based outside the UK
  • companies that can pay profits to directors, shareholders or members (including Companies Limited by Shares)