News Archive
Working with Ecology Building Society
Ethical finance groups work together Two long-established ethical finance organisations have agreed new arrangements that will make more money available to democratic enterprises in disadvantaged communities. Ecology Building Society has lent £500,000 to Co-operative & Community Finance, and under the terms of the government Community Investment Tax Relief (CITR) scheme this money will be used […]
Creating a co-operative pound
How should co-operatives finance growth? It is one of the biggest questions facing co-operative businesses today. Not all co-operatives want to grow. But when they do – particularly when a co-operative wants to expand quickly – there is challenge. Congress 2015 is a step towards the UK co-operative sector providing its own answers to the […]
Creative co-op raises £1.1m
Work is well underway on a £1.1m project to transform a row of seven empty Georgian houses in central Sheffield into a new community-owned centre for artists, designers and makers called The Roco. The Grade II listed buildings are being substantially redesigned to house galleries, workshops, studios, offices, events space, café/bar, terrace and roof garden. […]
Funding boost for ‘real farming’
A new package of funding and support for ‘real farming’ will be launched on 13 July. The Just Growth programme aims to nurture the development of community enterprises that are farming and producing food in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Co-operative & Community Finance is working in partnership with the Real Farming Trust and […]
Our members are… the owners!
Today (Friday 3 July 2015) is Employee Ownership Day; a unique opportunity to highlight and celebrate the significant benefits employee ownership delivers to the UK economy. Whether you are employee owned, interested in what employee ownership might do for your business, work with employee-owned businesses, or have a general interest in employee ownership, now is the time […]
Our members are… Caring
Carers Week is an annual campaign which raises awareness of caring, highlights the challenges faced by carers and recognises the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. This years’ Carers Week (8-14 June) focuses on building Carer Friendly Communities; communities which support carers to look after their loved ones well, while recognising […]
Our members are… Green
World Environment Day is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. The theme this year is “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.” The well-being of humanity, the environment and the functioning of the economy ultimately depend on the responsible management of the planet’s natural resources. And […]
Soft Touch Arts shortlisted!
We’ve got our fingers crossed for Co-operative & Community Finance members Soft Touch Arts, who’ve made the shortlist for Jewson’s Building Better Communities competition! Soft Touch’s sMASHing Healthy Eating community kitchen is shortlisted in the ‘former glories’ category of the competition. If the project wins, it could be awarded between £1,000 and £50,000; enabling the […]
Rame was not built in a day
Cornish community opens new village hub after receiving loans from Co-operative & Community Finance and The Co-operative Loan Fund. A group of locals from the Rame Peninsula in South East Cornwall came together to found The Peninsula Trust on 19 March 2014, with the aim of supporting their community. Exactly one year later, they are […]
Refurbish and occupy
A community-based social enterprise in Huddersfield is renovating dozens of empty private houses in a scheme that will provide affordable rented accommodation, training and work for local people, and a sustainable fund for more development. A loan from Co-operative & Community Finance is helping to make this happen. Fresh Horizons is firmly rooted in Deighton […]