Help shape the future of community shares standards
Co-operatives UK are reviewing the impact of the community shares Standard Mark to inform the next phase of their standards work.
Over the past decade, the Standard Mark has become a vital part of the UK’s community shares market.
Launched in 2015 by the Community Shares Unit (CSU), it acts as a national ‘kitemark’ for high-quality share offers. It’s awarded by licensed practitioners who independently assess whether an offer meets the key principles of transparency, fairness, and community benefit. To date, more than 400 community share offers have been awarded the Standard Mark, helping to raise millions in investment and build confidence with funders and the public.
Co-operatives UK now want to look at how the Standard Mark can continue to support and strengthen high-quality community share offers. They’ve launched a short survey and are seeking input from:
- Community benefit societies that have run, or are planning, a community share offer
- Licenced practitioners and advisors using the standards framework in practice
- Funders, policy makers and institutional investors who rely on the Standard Mark to guide investment decisions
- Sector partners and networks who work to promote community shares and democratic finance